The White House said Thursday it is “open” to considering legislation that would ban A special firearm accessorY used by the gunman who killed 59 people in Las Vegas this week.
“We certainly welcome that,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the debate on Capitol Hill surrounding accessories known as “bump stocks.”
“We know that members of both parties and multiple organizations are planning to take a look at bump stocks and related devices,” she added. “We’d like to be a part of that conversation.”
A bump stock is a device that can be used to simulate automatic gunfire with a semi-automatic weapon.
Authorities said a dozen of the rifles used by the Las Vegas gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, had been modified with bump stocks. The Sunday attack left hundreds injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in United States history.{mosads}
Democrats and Republicans alike have voiced their support for banning bump stocks following Sunday’s events, with a number of lawmakers introducing bills to outlaw the devices.
Just before Sanders spoke, the National Rifle Association backed new regulations on bump stocks but did not call for legislation banning them.
Sanders also stopped short on Thursday of backing new restrictions on the devices.
She said it’s too early to weigh in, with law enforcement still investigating the shooting.
“We’d like to see a clear understanding of the facts,” she said.
Sanders, however, stopped short on Thursday of backing new restrictions on the devices.
She said it’s too early to weigh in, with law enforcement still investigating the shooting.
“We’d like to see a clear understanding of the facts,” she said.
Reps. Carlos Curbelo (Fla.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) have proposed bipartisan legislation to ban the bump stock. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) announced that she and other Democrats plan to introduce a similar bill as well.
Updated 3:10 p.m.