webfact Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Congressional Republicans eye 'bump stocks' after Las Vegas massacre By Alexandria Sage and Sharon Bernstein A woman looks at messages on a sign a makeshift memorial in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard following the mass shooting in Las Veg LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers on Thursday said they would look into "bump stock" gun accessories after a retiree used rifles equipped with them to rain gunfire onto a Las Vegas concert, killing 58 people in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The influential National Rifle Association, which has opposed efforts to pass federal gun legislation following past mass shootings, said it would not oppose the move. It said the devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to behave as fully automatic weapons should be subject to additional regulations. Investigators struggled to understand why Stephen Paddock, 64, assembled an arsenal of nearly 50 firearms and used them to spray bullets from the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas Strip hotel into a crowd of country-music fans on Sunday before killing himself. Twelve rifles found in Paddock's hotel room had bump stocks, authorities said. The shooting spree also injured 489 people. Reports also emerged on Thursday that Paddock, a gambling and cruise enthusiast, may have looked into carrying out an attack in Chicago or Boston. Audio and video of the Sunday night attack contained the sound of extended periods of continuous gunfire into a crowd of terrified people, stirring the long-standing U.S. debate over how to regulate gun ownership, which is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Senior Republicans on Thursday signalled they were ready to examine the sale of "bump stocks." The devices essentially allow legal rifles to serve as automatic weapons, which are largely illegal in the United States. "Clearly that's something we need to look into," House Speaker Paul Ryan told radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt, referring to the accessories. "I didn't even know what they were until this week ... I think we're quickly coming up to speed with what this is." The No. 2 Republican senator a day earlier had called for a review of bump stocks while Democrats had already been urging new legislation. Before the Las Vegas attack, a man named Stephen Paddock booked rooms in a Chicago hotel that overlooked the site of the August Lollapalooza music festival, a spokeswoman for Chicago's Blackstone Hotel said in an e-mail. It was unclear if that person, who never checked in, was the same Stephen Paddock, the spokeswoman said. Paddock also researched locations in Boston, NBC reported, citing multiple law enforcement sources. Police in Boston and Chicago said they were aware of the reports and investigating them. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Wednesday there remained no evidence indicating the shooting spree was an act of terrorism. Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, was questioned by the FBI on Wednesday and said in a statement she had been unaware of Paddock's plans. "He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen," Danley, 62, said in the statement released by her lawyer, Matt Lombard. Danley, who returned late Tuesday from a family visit to the Philippines, is regarded by investigators as a "person of interest." Lombard said his client, an Australian citizen of Filipino heritage, was cooperating fully with authorities. An FBI official in Las Vegas said no one has been taken into custody. Danley shared Paddock's home at a retirement community in Mesquite, Nevada, northeast of Las Vegas, before travelling to the Philippines in mid-September. Investigators questioned her about Paddock's weapons purchases, a $100,000 wire transfer to a Philippine bank that appeared to be intended for her, and whether she saw any changes in his behaviour before she left the United States. Danley said Paddock had bought her an airline ticket to visit her family and wired her money to purchase property there, leading her to worry he might be planning to break up with her. Discerning Paddock's motive has proven especially baffling as he had no criminal record, no known history of mental illness and no outward signs of social disaffection, political discontent or extremist ideology, police said. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage and Sharon Bernstein in Las Vegas; additional reporting by Susan Heavey, Richard Cowan, Doina Chiacu and Amanda Becker in Washington, Chris Kenning in Chicago and Karen Freifeld and Jonathan Allen in New York; Writing by Scott Malone; Editing by Frances Kerry, Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool) -- © Copyright Reuters 2017-10-06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samui Bodoh Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 1 hour ago, webfact said: The influential National Rifle Association, which has opposed efforts to pass federal gun legislation following past mass shootings, said it would not oppose the move. It said the devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to behave as fully automatic weapons should be subject to additional regulations. These devices should be banned, not simply 'regulated'. But, there is a much more important question... Why is it legal for someone (anyone!) to amass a collection of 40 or so semi-automatic rifles? Home defense? Hunting? Before someone comes along and says that guns are for collecting and/or sport, I would say choose another sport and/or start collecting stamps; they aren't as dangerous to people around you. How many people must die so that a small minority of Americans can fulfill their fetish over their weapons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overherebc Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Watching BBC now and as bad as the figures are for Vegas using bump stocks they just mentioned that since 'Vegas' in 3 days across the rest of the USA 87 people have been murdered by gunshot. It's like a Vegas count every three days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 23 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said: Why is it legal for someone (anyone!) to amass a collection of 40 or so semi-automatic rifles? Home defense? Hunting? Due to the protections afforded by the Second Amendment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samui Bodoh Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 41 minutes ago, NanLaew said: Due to the protections afforded by the Second Amendment. The second amendment does not allow you to have mortars. The second amendment does not allow you to have bazookas The second amendment does not allow you to have tanks The second amendment does not allow you to have missiles The second amendment does not allow you to have hand grenades The second amendment does not allow you to have RPGs Etc, etc, etc, etc. Why should the second amendment allow for an unlimited number of guns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 1 minute ago, Samui Bodoh said: The second amendment does not allow you to have mortars. The second amendment does not allow you to have bazookas The second amendment does not allow you to have tanks The second amendment does not allow you to have missiles The second amendment does not allow you to have hand grenades The second amendment does not allow you to have RPGs Etc, etc, etc, etc. Why should the second amendment allow for an unlimited number of guns? In itself it doesn't specifically say one can keep one gun but by the same token, it also doesn't specifically prohibit gun collecting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canopus1969 Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said: These devices should be banned, not simply 'regulated'. But, there is a much more important question... Why is it legal for someone (anyone!) to amass a collection of 40 or so semi-automatic rifles? Home defense? Hunting? Before someone comes along and says that guns are for collecting and/or sport, I would say choose another sport and/or start collecting stamps; they aren't as dangerous to people around you. How many people must die so that a small minority of Americans can fulfill their fetish over their weapons? Worth watching this if you have time : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomerangutang Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Then what number would be deemed unlawful? Would armed ATF officials raid every gun owner's home and demand to see all their guns, and then count them? .....to see whether they have gone over the legal number? No, sorry to say, US gun-fanatics are like candida yeast infection. After it's infected the 'body politic' there's no way to get it out of the body. It's there (in armpits, groin, neck, brain) permanently, and growing all the time. It's like rape is against the law. The law doesn't say, "ok, 5 rapes a year are ok, but if you rape a sixth before Jan 1, you get fined." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 It takes a Republican Congress and the Trump administration to roll back the Obama Administration's approval of "bump-stops." Oh the irony LMAO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomerangutang Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 30 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said: It takes a Republican Congress and the Trump administration to roll back the Obama Administration's approval of "bump-stops." Oh the irony LMAO It was during Obama's time, but it was the ATF which made the decision. Obama can't personally oversee every decision that's made in the hundreds of offices connected to the Federal gov't. He personally is against a lot more than bump-stock. Would you blame Ron Reagan (for not placing added concrete blockades) for the dozens of marines killed in Beirut truck bombing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nausea Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 3 hours ago, webfact said: The influential National Rifle Association, which has opposed efforts to pass federal gun legislation following past mass shootings, said it would not oppose the move. Maybe a bit misleading as my understanding is that the NRA is driving the agenda. The NRA has issued a statement calling for new administrative regs. on bumpstocks. This is cos. they don't want new legislative laws on things like magazine capacity, military features, and background checks. It's an obvious diversionary tactic in the face of strong public pressure. Incidentally, in the same statement they called for gun-owners with concealed-carry permits from one state to be allowed to take their weapons into any other US state, even if it has stricter firearms limits. At least the silencer issue seems to have died a death, for the moment. The important issue of gun-owners' hearing safety will just have to wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stargeezr Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 In our life times we will not see the USA government do a thing to change the gun laws. Most American just do not think there is anything wrong with making a semi automatic gun into a fully automatic, or owning more than say 10 guns. I have not seen any change even with politicians and even a President shot by guys with guns. Sadly it will take thousands of more people killed before anything will change. Geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLSEEINGEYE Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 1 hour ago, NanLaew said: In itself it doesn't specifically say one can keep one gun but by the same token, it also doesn't specifically prohibit gun collecting. The second amendment was drafted when the only guns available were muzzle loaded muskets. The 2nd amendment is not the constitution, it is an amendment and it should be amended again!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 (edited) 16 minutes ago, ALLSEEINGEYE said: The second amendment was drafted when the only guns available were muzzle loaded muskets. The 2nd amendment is not the constitution, it is an amendment and it should be amended again!!! Part of the reason for the 2nd amendment is to allow citizens to protect themselves against an abusive government like they had just freed themselves from. Made possible by the citizenry having the current technology of the day. It's in the amendments referred to as "The Bill of Rights". And just like every word in the constitution and its amendments, it can be amended again with a simple (but not easy- and that's deliberate) process. Bump stocks should have never been allowed since they effectively convert a semi-auto into a full auto gun, which require special permits. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see (after the fact) prosecutions of the companies who sold them into the market. On a side note, folding stocks were outlawed for quite a while a few decades back, but that law expired and wasn't re-passed. Just to be clear, I'd love to see some tighter limits on guns, but it's a slippery slope. The government rarely (never?) returns freedoms once they've been taken away, and after they make some wise changes, there's very little to stop them from going too far. Edited October 6, 2017 by impulse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 54 minutes ago, boomerangutang said: It was during Obama's time, but it was the ATF which made the decision. Obama can't personally oversee every decision that's made in the hundreds of offices connected to the Federal gov't. He personally is against a lot more than bump-stock. Would you blame Ron Reagan (for not placing added concrete blockades) for the dozens of marines killed in Beirut truck bombing? You can deflect all you want...the approval was made by the Obama Administration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golgota Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 2 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said: You can deflect all you want...the approval was made by the Obama Administration. You should re read what really happened... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 3 hours ago, boomerangutang said: ATF which made the decision "We find that the bump stock is a firearm part and is not regulated as a firearm under Gun Control Act or the National Firearms Act," - ATF 2010. http://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/05/politics/bump-stocks-regulation-atf-las-vegas/index.html A bump stock was legal. However, with its majority during Obama's second term, Republicans could have proposed legislation to ban bump stocks. I'm sure Obama would have signed the bill. Even now 9 months into the Trump presidency Republicans could have proposed such legislation before the Vegas massacre - but didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouse Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 9 hours ago, NanLaew said: Due to the protections afforded by the Second Amendment. Amend it then!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 13 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said: The second amendment does not allow you to have mortars. The second amendment does not allow you to have bazookas The second amendment does not allow you to have tanks The second amendment does not allow you to have missiles The second amendment does not allow you to have hand grenades The second amendment does not allow you to have RPGs Etc, etc, etc, etc. Why should the second amendment allow for an unlimited number of guns? Because Amen allows for the constitutional excuse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Duck huntin wid a machine gun is fun ! Yay. Moronic but does have the rights ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumbastheycome Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Ozarks anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil B Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Too little Too late... As much as I think America needs to get gun ownership under control, I know it ain't going to happen over night. They could make a start: compulsory registration of all firearms and their owners (national database) Limit the number of guns one can own Limit the amount of ammunition one can keep Outlaw machine guns Limit the size of magazines to no more than 10 bullets All ammunition to be type approved with limited propellant to control the range I mean why have elephant guns in a country that has no elephants to hunt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Post violating Fair Use Policy has been removed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylophone Posted October 7, 2017 Share Posted October 7, 2017 And this from my local newspaper............ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11930315 "American gun suppliers are selling out of 'bump stock' devices in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre. Georgia Gun Store owner Kellie Weeks said bump stocks are not typically big sellers, but they've started flying off the shelves since Monday". Not for the first time in my life, I stand aghast at the mentality of many Americans. – It is illegal to have an automatic rifle, however kits to make semiautomatic rifles into fully automatic rifles are freely available. Now after this recent massacre they are flying off the shelves! – Weapons like this are weapons made for war, commonly called assault rifles and have no place in the home. – "We have an amendment which gives us the right to bear arms", shout the supporters and the lobbyists. Okay, a pistol or a hunting rifle should do – – not a semiautomatic/automatic assault rifle, however that anomaly is just not seen by these people. There again, I don't suppose I should be too surprised at this claptrap, because after all they did vote in an obnoxious, pussy grabbing, mentally deficient clown as president Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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