photo: whitehouse.gov
In October 2017, a gunman opened fire at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada. Because he used a gun that had been modified with a bump stock, he fired more than 1,000 rounds in just ten minutes, killing 60 people, injuring hundreds, and traumatizing countless Americans. Today's decision overturns an important gun safety regulation. Americans should not have to live in fear of such mass devastation.
While extreme Republicans in Congress want to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), I have used every tool of my administration to crack down on gun violence. I appointed the first Senate-confirmed ATF Director since 2015. My administration has ensured that ATF has the funding it needs to address emerging firearms technologies, such as machine gun conversion devices and ghost guns, which pose a unique and acute threat to public safety.
Notwithstanding this decision, my administration will continue to operate. I opposed the NRA and signed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act - the most significant gun violence reduction legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years. My administration established the first-ever White House Office to Prevent Gun Violence, made historic investments in mental health to support people in crisis, and expanded background checks to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.
We know that thoughts and prayers are not enough. I call on Congress to ban bump stocks, pass an assault weapons ban, and take other measures to save lives - send me a bill and I will sign it immediately.
whitehouse.gov/gnews.cz.jav_07