Sen. Richard Blumenthal Says Republican Colleagues Could Be On Board for Bump Stock Ban

Sen. Richard Blumenthal appeared on MSNBC Wednesday to comment on the Las Vegas mass shooting, and advocated for new gun control measures, including a ban on “bump stock” modifications.

Bump stocks are legal modifications that can be affixed to semi-automatic weapons, allowing for rapid fire shooting on par with fully automatic machine guns, which are banned in the U.S.

Police said the Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock had 12 guns fitted with bump stocks, which allowed for the uninterrupted fire that killed 58 people and wounded more than 500 others in Sunday night’s attack.

MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson asked Blumenthal if he would support legislation to ban bump stocks, and if that “is an area where Congress is willing to take action.”

“I am not only supporting it, I have joined in legislation with Senator Feinstein and I announced just literally moments ago, legislation that would ban bump stocks,” Blumenthal said.

“Yes, we should ban them, and I think it’s a point of common ground where we can come together,” he continued. “In addition to others.”

Jackson asked if Republicans would be onboard with such legislation.

Blumenthal said he has had “informal discussions” with some of his Republican colleagues about his bump stock ban as well as “background checks and a ban on assault weapons, the the high capacity magazines.”

“All of those kinds of weapons and devices accelerated and enhanced the ability of that shooter in Las Vegas to kill so many people,” he continued, noting that he believes there will be a consensus amongst lawmakers on bump stock legislation.

Watch above, via MSNBC.

[image via screengrab]

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