House panel in Washington state OKs bump stock ban

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A House committee has approved a bill that would ban trigger devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly, similar to the ones used in the Las Vegas mass shooting.

The measure, which passed out of the full Senate last month on a 29-20 vote, passed the House Judiciary Committee today on a 10-3 vote.

The move to ban the devices – known as bump stocks – came in response to last October's mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and left hundreds more injured.

The ban would make it illegal for anyone in Washington to manufacture or sell bump stocks beginning July 1. In July 2019, it would become illegal to own or possess a bump stock in Washington.

The bill's chances of making it to the House floor are still unclear. Democrats hold a narrow majority in the House, and legislative leaders have said the measure will need bipartisan support to pass.