Trump asks for ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas massacre

President Donald Trump on Tuesday directed the Justice Department to ban gun modifications such as bump stocks that were used in the Las Vegas massacre.

“Just a few moments ago, I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns,” he said during a ceremony recognizing bravery by the nation’s public safety officers.

“I expect that these critical regulations will be finalized … very soon.”

Justice Department statement on bump stocks:

"The Department understands this is a priority for the President and has acted quickly to move through the rulemaking process. We look forward to the results of that process as soon as it is duly completed."

— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) February 20, 2018

The president said he ordered U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to begin looking into the legality of bump stocks in December, about two months after a gunman killed 58 people and wounded hundreds more during the Roue 91 Harvest Festival on the Las Vegas strip.

The gunman, Stephen Paddock, used multiple assault-style rifles, some of which were equipped with bump stocks that make a semi-automatic weapon fire nearly as fast as an automatic weapon.

“As I said in my remarks the day after the shooting, we cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make a difference.”

Trump’s memorandum came days after at least 17 people were killed at a Florida high school.

White House officials said the president will be meeting with students, teachers and state and local officials to discuss ways of providing more school safety and address gun violence. Past efforts to address gun violence in Congress have failed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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