And This Will Do What?

Bump stock ban quickly clears House

With only three Republicans voting against the measure Wednesday, an expansive proposal to outlaw bump stocks and other devices swept the Massachusetts House.

Proposed by state Rep. David Linsky, a Natick Democrat, the proposal passed as an amendment to an appropriations bill with little debate on the now-controversial firearm accessories that have become a political football since their use in a mass shooting in Las Vegas earlier this month.

“These devices have one purpose, and one purpose only – to kill and to wound as many people as possible in a short period of time,” said Linsky in a statement. “They have no place in civilized society, and today in the Massachusetts House, we took an important step towards strengthening our state’s gun laws and maintaining the safety of our Commonwealth.”

Linksy’s amendment, first floated earlier this week, would direct the state Secretary of Public Safety to draft regulations by 2018 that would bar the use on any rifle, shotgun or firearm of a device capable of increasing the rate of fire. With no provision for grandfathering, those found guilty of possession of such devices would face between three and 20 years in prison.

The National Rifle Association cautioned Linsky’s ban is sweeping in its context and cautions that federal regulators are already reviewing the devices, which may eliminate any need for a legislative fix.