A Decatur lawmaker filed legislation that would ban bump stocks like those used last month in a mass shooting in Las Vegas.
State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, filed the bill Wednesday, the first day lawmakers could present legislation to be considered when the Legislature returns in January.
“There is no justification for this kind of device being easily sold and easily implemented to make a weapon more dangerous,” she said.
Politicians began scrutinizing the mechanism after investigators found 12 rifles equipped with the bump stocks in Stephen Paddock’s hotel room after the Oct. 1 shootings that killed 58 and injured more than 500.
Passing such legislation will be a tall order. At least one state senator and the lieutenant governor said they oppose state-level restrictions on the devices. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and state Sen. Michael Williams of Cumming, both Republicans, are each running for governor.
Oliver still remains hopeful.
“I’m looking for bipartisan support, and I’m looking for a bipartisan discussion,” she said. “I believe that it’s irresponsible for Georgia to ignore this discussion at this time.”
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