WASHINGTON ― The head of the federal agency tasked with regulating firearms said Wednesday it does not have direct authority to regulate or ban bump stocks ― devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to function like machine guns ― but is looking into whether can reclassify them as firearms to regulate them under existing law. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, initiated a new review of the legality of bump stocks with the Justice Department on Tuesday. Democrats have introduced several bills banning bump stocks in the immediate wake of the Las Vegas shooting, including one with bipartisan support in the House. The ATF already told Congress, in 2010 and 2013, that it cannot take action on bump stocks. Meanwhile, manufacturers of bump stocks have resumed sales of the devices after a brief suspension, with at least one offering a Black Friday sale over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Source: Huffington Post December 06, 2017 21:11 UTC