The National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement Thursday afternoon calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to “immediately review” whether bump fire stocks “comply with federal law.”
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, along with NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director Chris Cox, released the statement only days after Las Vegas mass shooting gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on a country music festival from his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino late Sunday night.
Here’s the statement in full:
In the aftermath of the evil and senseless attack in Las Vegas, the American people are looking for answers as to how future tragedies can be prevented. Unfortunately, the first response from some politicians has been to call for more gun control. Banning guns from law-abiding Americans based on the criminal act of a madman will do nothing to prevent future attacks. This is a fact that has been proven time and again in countries across the world. In Las Vegas, reports indicate that certain devices were used to modify the firearms involved.
Despite the fact that the Obama administration approved the sale of bump fire stocks on at least two occasions, the National Rifle Association is calling on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to immediately review whether these devices comply with federal law.
The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations. In an increasingly dangerous world, the NRA remains focused on our mission: strengthening Americans' Second Amendment freedom to defend themselves, their families and their communities. To that end, on behalf of our five million members across the country, we urge Congress to pass National Right-to-Carry reciprocity, which will allow law-abiding Americans to defend themselves and their families from acts of violence.
The NRA has come under scrutiny since the Las Vegas tragedy from those on the Left who immediately politicized the carnage to further their call for more gun control.