On Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump announced an order to the Department of Justice to propose a ban on bump stocks, devices which modify semi-automatic weapons to act more like fully automatic weapons. The discussion of bump stocks first hit the press and politicians in October, soon after the Las Vegas massacre where the shooter used such a device to kill over 50 people.
“We can do more to protect our children. We must do more to protect our children,” said Trump at an event to honor law and safety officers at the White House.
“After the deadly shooting in Las Vegas, I directed the attorney general to clarify whether certain bump stock devices like the one used in Las Vegas are illegal under current law,” he announced, according to Real Clear Politics.
“That process began in December, and just a few moments ago, I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns. I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized, [by Attorney General Jeff Sessions], very soon,” Trump continued.
“The key in all of these efforts, as I said in my remarks the day after the shooting, is that we cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference, we must actually make a difference. We must move past cliches and tired debates and focus on evidence-based solutions and security measures that actually work and that make it easier for women of law enforcement to protect our children and to protect our safety,” the president added.
The ban on such devices seems to have bipartisan support; the National Rifle Association (NRA) has also expressed their support.
Critics argue the move is potentially unconstitutional, while others have pointed out that the potential ban would be especially ineffective since the technology to 3D print bump stocks already exists.
Trump has also expressed support for enforcing gun laws on the books. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that President Trump has made it clear that he “will work with Congress on improving the federal firearm purchaser background check system, and help encourage routine enforcement of laws already on the books,” as reported by Daily Wire’s Emily Zanotti.
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