As recently as last month, Mr. Trump said publicly that a ban would be coming.
“So we’re knocking out bump stocks,” the president said[1] during a news conference announcing a revamped trade agreement[2] with Canada. “I’ve told the N.R.A. I’ve told them: Bump stocks are gone.”
He added: “And over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be able to write it up.”
The initiative to ban bump stocks had been met with skepticism by Democratic lawmakers in Congress, who questioned whether the measure would be enough to combat the scourge of mass shootings. (The device was not used in the shooting in Florida, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School[3].) The move also drew caution from lawmakers who said taking executive action on the devices could lead to court battles.
The National Rifle Association did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday evening, but the organization initially supported[4] an A.T.F. review of the devices after the Las Vegas shooting. At the same time, the gun association had also urged Congress[5] to pass a law that would allow concealed-carry permit holders to carry the weapons in all 50 states.
Though he has worked to push through a ban on bump stocks, Mr. Trump remains a vocal supporter of gun rights and the Second Amendment, frequently invoking it as under assault by Democrats.
References
- ^ the president said (www.whitehouse.gov)
- ^ revamped trade agreement (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ shooting in Florida, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ but the organization initially supported (www.nytimes.com)
- ^ also urged Congress (www.nytimes.com)
