CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many thought the rapid gunfire that claimed the lives of 58 concert-goers in Las Vegas was from an automatic rifle, but federal investigators have said the shooter actually used a bump stock on a semi-automatic rifle.
A bump stock enables a semi-automatic rifle to shoot faster, similar to an automatic rifle.
Larry Hyatt, owner of Hyatt Gun & Coin, doesn't sell the rifle part.
“We're in a big city,” Hyatt said. “We have gangs. We have a lot of crime and we just felt like that wasn't something we wanted to do."
Some local stores that do sell bump stocks told Eyewitness News anchor Liz Foster they are currently sold out. Even if they wanted to order more, they wouldn’t be able to because the manufacturer is sold out right now.
Some Democratic lawmakers are now pushing to make it illegal to buy and have a bump stock.
"It makes it an automatic weapon to kill humans," Laura Davis said.
She supports the Second Amendment, but says there should be more gun control.
"Too many people are dying," she said.
Others told Channel 9 that criminals do not care what laws are passed.
"Stricter gun control is going to take effect against the law-abiding citizens, not against the criminals who are really wanting to get out and obtain the modifications that they want," Robert Autrey said.
Autrey said bringing up gun control is politicizing a tragedy.
"I think at this point it should be backing off and remembering the folks that lost their lives and the folks that are still in the hospital," Autry said.
Davis disagrees.
"Now is the time and actually, we're late,” Davis said. “If 20 children being murdered was not the time, then we're already late. Fifty-nine now dead, over 500 injured -- when will be a good time?"
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