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.
The White House and the National Rifle Association signaled Thursday that they are open to the idea of regulating the use of bump stocks, the rifle attachments that the Las Vegas shooter used to rapidly fire bullets on a crowd of concertgoers Sunday night.
«We’re open to having that conversation,» White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.
As Sanders spoke, the NRA — which has traditionally opposed gun control efforts — expressed support for new regulations on bump stocks.
«Devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations,» the group said in a statement.
The Las Vegas attack triggered some debate in Washington over how bump stock restrictions should be enacted. The suspect, Stephen Paddock, killed 59 people and wounded more than 500 others in the deadliest mass shooting in U. S. history.
Some lawmakers have proposed congressional legislation for bump stocks, while the NRA and others said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms should issue new regulations.
As Congressional Democrats proposed a legislative ban on bump stocks, members of the Republican majority say they may be amenable.
«Clearly that’s something we need to look into,» House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the second ranking Republican in the Senate, has said he would support hearings on bump stocks.
Michigan gun shops, meanwhile, say they’ve seen little demand for bump stocks. Many 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 them. We don’t like them,» 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 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 others in Roseville, Milford and Mason, Mich., said they haven’t noticed a spike in sales of guns, accessories or ammunition since the massacre.
Contact Christina Hall: chall99@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter. USA TODAY contributed to this report.
