The device makes a semi-automatic weapon fire faster; was used by the Las Vegas shooter. NRA calls for review to see if it complies with federal law.
Michigan gun shops says they’ve seen little demand for bump stocks, a device that makes a semi-automatic weapon fire faster and was used by the Las Vegas shooter to fire upon a crowd of concertgoers, killing 58 and wounding hundreds.
On Thursday, the National Rifle Association — which traditionally opposes gun control efforts — called on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to « immediately review » whether these devices comply with federal law.
In a joint statement on the NRA website, CEO Wayne LaPierre and chief lobbyist Chris Cox said « that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations. »
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The NRA statement comes as the White House and Republican lawmakers in Congress indicated they are open to the idea of regulating the use of bump stocks or bump fire stocks.
« We’re open to having that conversation, » White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
Congressional Democrats proposed a ban on bump stocks after retired accountant Stephen Paddock killed 58 people Sunday and wounded several hundred others, including some from metro Detroit. Police said Paddock used bump stocks attached to semi-automatic assault weapons to rain bullets down from a 32-floor hotel room to a country music concert below.
As the discussion about bump stocks heats up, most of the gun shops in Michigan contacted by the Free Press today said they don’t stock the devices, mostly because there hasn’t been a demand for them.
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Firing Line in Westland sold them, but it doesn’t have any now, co-owner Don Haigh said. He’s not expecting to get any more, either.
« We got phone calls to sell them, » he said of the bump stocks, which might sell for $200 to $300 each. « It was never a big seller. »
« We don’t sell ’em. We don’t like ’em, » said Sam Dalaly, co-owner of Action Impact in Southfield and Eastpointe.
He said not too many people bought bump stocks. He said he doesn’t think people need them, adding: « it doesn’t make sense. »
News media outlets across the country have reported a spike in bump stock sales. Some have reported that retailers, including Cabela’s and Walmart, have removed the items from their websites.
Gun shop owners and employees contacted in Michigan said bump stock purchasers often are gun enthusiasts or those who want to simulate a higher rate of fire. They said there is a learning curve in using bump stocks.
Mike Visser, lead instructor of the training division for Silver Bullet Firearms in Wyoming, Mich., said the business doesn’t stock bump stocks and hasn’t for a while. He said it has been getting a couple of phone calls and requests for them.
« It’s kind of a novelty item, » he said, « not a huge seller. »
Joe Hulett, manager of Hampel’s Gun Co. in Traverse City, agreed, saying the business never had them in stock. He’s been with the business 23 years and said, « I don’t recall ordering one. »
The gun shops and those at others in Roseville, Milford and Mason, Mich., said they haven’t noticed a spike in sales of guns, accessories or ammunition since the massacre, the worst mass shooting in modern U. S. history.
USA Today contributed to this report.
Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.
