Feinstein Statement on Proposed Regulation to Ban Bump Stocks

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today issued the following statement in response to the Justice Department’s move to ban bump stocks through regulation:

“Bump stocks and other devices allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns, making mass shootings even more deadly. In Las Vegas, for example, the shooter fired around 1,100 rounds in just 10 minutes—110 rounds per minute. We can all remember the horrific sound of seemingly automatic gunfire raining down on concertgoers.

“As I’ve noted time and again, these devices should be banned. The ATF itself has said repeatedly that it does not have the authority to ban bump stocks under the National Firearms Act and an agency reversal makes the regulation vulnerable to lawsuits.

“The NRA has sued to block a Florida law increasing the age to buy assault weapons to 21. This demonstrates why there is every reason to believe that the gun lobby and manufacturers that make millions selling bump stocks and other similar devices will sue to protect their bottom lines.

“The only way to guarantee bump stocks are banned is to pass a law. If Republicans truly wanted to get these dangerous devices off the streets, they would support our legislation.”

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