Trump takes executive action to ban bump stocks

Gunman used device in Las Vegas massacre

“We must do more to protect our children.” President Trump

WASHINGTON – President Trump signed a memorandum instructing the attorney general to regulate the use of bump stocks, effectively banning the use of the devices that can allow rifles to mimic automatic weapons.

Trump made the announcement at a Medal of Valor ceremony at the White House for firefighters and police officers — some of whom had intervened in shooting incidents.

Trump told Attorney General Jeff Sessions, seated in the front row of the East Room, that he expects new federal guidelines to be finalized “very soon.”

He referred to the memorandum while detailing meetings he’ll hold this week and next to discuss ways to keep students safe after a mass shooting at a Florida high school.

“We must do more to protect our children,” Trump said, promising that school safety is a top priority of his administration.

Trump’s memorandum to Sessions directs the Department of Justice to “dedicate all available resources” to completing a review of more than 100,000 comments it received from December through January on a notice of a proposed rulemaking.

Bump stocks were found among the weapons used in the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people Oct. 1.