Trump moves to outlaw ‘bump stocks’

Washington, February 21 

Facing public wrath after the deadly school massacre in Florida, President Donald Trump has decided to consider banning bump stocks, a controversial device that turns semi-automatic rifles into machine guns that can fire hundreds of rounds a minute.

Trump yesterday said he signed a memorandum directing the Attorney General Jeff Sessions to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns. “We can do more to protect our children,” Trump said at a White House event, insisting school safety is now a top priority for his administration.

“I expect that these critical regulations will be finalised, very soon,” he said.

The move comes in the wake of the deadly shooting at a Florida school last week that killed 14 students and three teachers, renewing a debate over gun control in America. Bump stock devices were not used in the Florida school shooting but it became controversial after the Las Vegas mass shooting in October last year in which the gunman used the device and killed 58 concert-goers.

“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. That process began in December,” he said.

“The key in all of these efforts, is that one cannot merely take actions that make feel like they are making a difference,” he said.

“We must actually make a difference. We must move past clichés and tired debates and focus on evidence-based solutions and security measures that actually wrk, and that make it easier for men and women of law enforcement to protect our children and to protect our safety,” Trump said.

Facing rising political heat after the Parkland school massacre, Trump blamed his predecessors for a lack of action and said he would be different, despite widespread skepticism among gun control activists about his sincerity and capacity to make the case for change.

In the memorandum, Trump said although the Obama administration had repeatedly concluded that particular bump stock type devices were lawful to purchase and possess, he sought further clarification of the law restricting fully automatic machine-guns.

“Today, I am directing the Department of Justice to dedicate all available resources to complete the review of the comments received, and, as expeditiously as possible, to propose for notice and comment a rule banning all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns,” Trump said.

According to The Washington Post, the move to ban bump stocks may upset the pro-gun lobby group National Rifle Association, which is one of Trump’s strongest supporters. — PTI 

Florida shooting reignites gun-control debate

• The Florida shooting has galvanised students across the country to rally in favour of stronger gun laws. Previous mass shootings in the United States have also stirred outrage and calls for action, with few results in Congress
• The White House has already thrown its weight behind legislation that would tighten the national criminal background check system for gun buyers by ensuring that states and federal agencies share their records
• The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence advocacy group has called on Congress to make it easier for police to temporarily take away weapons from people deemed to be dangerous. Five states have enacted so-called red flag laws
• Tightening gun laws would mark a change in course for Trump, who has championed gun rights during his campaign and presidency