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Texas manufacturer of 'bump stocks' halts new sales

Demand is overwhelming as calls for ban surge, manufacturer says

AUSTIN - The Texas-based manufacturer of "bump stocks," the accessory used to provide a deadly boost to the gunfire in the Las Vegas massacre, temporarily has suspended its online sales due to overwhelming demand as calls to limit - or possibly ban - the devices grow stronger.

Before a dinner with senior military leaders Thursday, President Donald Trump told reporters his administration is considering whether "bump stock" devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to perform more like fully automatic weapons should be banned.


Slide Fire, based in Moran, 40 miles east of Abilene, posted a notice on its website that it was no longer taking orders "to provide the best service with those already placed." The company is the largest producer of the device.

Bump Fire Systems, also in Moran and operated by the same owners as Slide Fire, also posted on its website that it was temporarily halting orders "due to extremely high demands."

Law enforcement officials said Stephen Paddock used several weapons equipped with the bump stocks to unleash a barrage of bullets into a crowd of 22,000 concertgoers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay.

NRA confers with feds

The bump stocks use the force of the gun's recoil to allow the gun to bounce off the shooter's trigger finger.



In a statement, the NRA said the device should be "subject to additional regulations."


Some top Republicans in Congress, including House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, have said they are open to considering a ban on the device, which costs about $200.

In Congress, support for a bump stock ban is starting to coalesce around several bills.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., unveiled a bill Wednesday that would ban the manufacture, sale and transfer of bump stocks and other accessories that can accelerate a semi-automatic rifle's rate of fire.


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"Slide Fire brings shooters the same full auto experience but without having to take out a second mortgage on their home," he said in the interview.

Cottle was asked if the bump stock should be banned in light of the mass shooting at an Orlando, Fla., nightclub because some say the stock makes the weapon automatic.

Cottle refuted the claim, saying the stock does not change the mechanics of the firearm. It "simply enables the shooter to pull the trigger very rapidly."

He added: "Should we ban Jerry Miculek's trigger finger because he can fire six shots from a revolver, reload and fire six more shots in less than three seconds? I mean that works out to around 240 rounds a minute."

Advocate for banning

In the aftermath of this week's mass shooting that left more than 500 people injured and 58 dead, there is an intensifying demand to ban the device.

Jerry Patterson, the author of the state's concealed carry law and an owner of an automatic weapon, said it's a "no brainer" to ban bump stocks.

"All you are doing is pissing away a lot of ammo," Patterson said. "I don't think it has any value."

Patterson said it is typical to see demand go up for a device at the center of a debate over gun control.

"It's a novelty," Patterson said. "There are a lot of guys that get all this hardware and add-ons for their (rifles). If you want to play army, go join the army."