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For decades, Republicans rejected any gun control legislation despite the fact that mass shootings are happening more frequently and horrific. It appears that the Las Vegas mass shooting awakened their common sense and conscience.

Police recovered 23 semi-automatic firearms in the hotel room of the shooter, Stephen Paddock. Twelve of his weapons were equipped with bump stocks.

With the bump stocks, Paddock was able to fire his weapons just like machine guns. He killed 59 people and injured more than 500 others on Sunday night. It is the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The Las Vegas massacre put the spotlight on bump stocks. Most lawmakers are unfamiliar or do not know that such device exist.

Over the past few days, there is an increasing support for legislation to prohibit bump stocks and other similar devices.

On Wednesday, some Republicans expressed openness to discuss and support legislation to prohibit bump stocks.

Senators Cornyn & Graham want congressional hearing on bump stocks

Senator John Cornyn, the second top Republican leader wants the Judiciary Committee to hold an investigation on the Las Vegas shooting and bump stocks.

According to the Texas senator, "I own a lot of guns. As a hunter and sportsman, I think that’s our right as Americans. But, I don’t understand the use of this bump stock. It seems like an obvious are we ought to explore and see if it’s something Congress needs to act on.”

On the other hand, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina also suggested a congressional hearing about bump stocks. He stated, “I think it’d be a good time to have a hearing. Just to find out— how does the technology work and is there a legislative solution?”

Another Republican senator, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said he will likely support a bill prohibiting bump stocks. He noted that automatic weapons are already illegal. Therefore, he had “no problem” supporting a bill banning devices that make semi-automatic rifle fire like automatic. Johnson is the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

Meanwhile, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida commented, “We certainly want to learn more details on what occurred in Las Vegas.” He added, "If there are vulnerabilities in federal law that we should be addressing to prevent such attacks in the future, we would always be open to that.”

Sen. Feinstein proposed legislation to illegalize bump stocks

On Wednesday, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California introduced the Automatic Gun Fire Prevention Act.  It will illegalize the sale, import, manufacture, transfer, and possession of bump stock and similar gun accessories

The bill has 24 co-sponsors including Senators Bernie Sanders, Chuck Schumer, Richard Blumenthal, Elizabeth Warren among others.

In a statement, Feinstein said, “The only reason to fire so many rounds so fast is to kill large numbers of people. No one should be able to easily and cheaply modify legal weapons into what are essentially machine guns.”

Cong. Curbelo to introduce bipartisan bill to ban bump stocks

In the House, Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo is drafting a bipartisan bill to prohibit bump stocks following the deadly Las Vegas shooting.

Joanna Rodriguez, the spokeswoman for Curbelo said the Florida congressman plans to introduce his legislation in a day or two.

Fellow Republican Cong. Bill Flores of Texas called for a ban on bump stocks. Flores is a gun owner and a former chairman of the Republican Study Committee. Flores said ordinary gun owners should not own any device that transforms a semi-automatic firearm into “something that behaves like an automatic.”

On Monday, Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona urged the Congress to take action on gun violence and keep America safer. On the same day, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi asked Speaker Paul Ryan to create a select committee on gun violence.