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Talks on Bump Stock Devices Continue in Connecticut

There's a lot of discussion on bump stock devices, a term many people have never heard before the Las Vegas shooting.

The devices are thousands of dollars less than a fully automatic weapon, allowing the gun owner to manipulate a semi-automatic to operate like a fully automatic weapon.

"(With) a semi-automatic, every time you press the trigger, it fires one round,” John Ferris, a shooting range owner, told NBC Connecticut.

Ferris, the owner of Tactical Arms and Indoor Shooting Range in Torrington, showed NBC Connecticut the difference between a semi-automatic and automatic weapon.

"(With) the automatic setting, you pull the trigger back and it releases rounds," Ferris said. 

Authorities said the Las Vegas gunman, who sprayed hundreds of bullets into a crowded country music festival, had bump stock devices that could speed up the gunfire.

"It allows you to manipulate the trigger system to make a faster rate of fire," Ferris said. 

The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters found the devices for sale Tuesday on retail websites, including at Cabela's, but on Thursday, the kit was removed. Elsewhere on the web, the add-ons didn't appear as plentiful as they had before. 

"We do not sell them, they're available. They were available online. I did check last night to see if they're available with any of the distributors and it looks like they were completely sold out," Ferris said. 

Connecticut lawmakers are contemplating a ban on bump stocks.

"If you see something, say something."

Retired state police lieutenant, J. Paul Vance, spends part of his retirement speaking about active shooters. 

"We've got to do everything we can as law enforcement, civilians and citizens of this country to do everything and anything to keep this from reoccurring again anywhere near us," Vance said. 

Vance never saw a bump stock on a Connecticut State Police call.

"I personally see no need for automatic weapons in the hands of civilians. As a state trooper for a long time, it worries you to go on a gun call, but it's not for me to decide, it's for our leaders, legislators to examine," Vance said. "And by no means am I saying take guns away from people."

NBC Connecticut reached out to Cabela's for comment, but have not heard back.

We also reached out to Republican lawmakers in our state and are still waiting to hear back, after a Democrat on Tuesday told NBC Connecticut he may introduce legislation to get rid of them in Connecticut.

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