Christie signs bump stock ban just before leaving office

Chris Christie (R) signed a bill Monday banning the sale or possession of bump stocks, marking one of the New Jersey governor’s final acts before leaving office.

The bump stocks bill was among more than 150 bills Christie signed on his final full day in office, NJ.com reported. Christie leaves office on Tuesday after two terms as governor.

Bump stocks previously could not be attached to a weapon under New Jersey law, but the new legislation, sponsored by Democrats, completely bans the accessories. The firearm accessory became a subject of debate after officials said it was used by the shooter in last year’s Las Vegas massacre.

{mosads}Selling or possessing a bump stock carries a three- to five-year prison sentence or a fine of up to $15,000, according to NJ.com. Those already in possession of the devices have 90 days to turn them over to law enforcement. 

Bump stocks, which can increase the rate of fire on a weapon, came under intense scrutiny after investigators said they believed Stephen Paddock used them to modify weapons used in a mass shooting in Las Vegas last October that killed roughly 60 people and injured hundreds more.

Senate Democrats introduced legislation in response to the shooting to ban assault weapons, high-capacity ammunition magazines and bump stocks. 

Other municipalities, including Columbia, S.C., passed measures to prohibit the use of bump stocks.