On Thursday, the National Rifle Association began discussions on supporting the regulation of bump stocks. Bump stocks are a rifle modification that increases the firing rate of semi-automatic rifles to near that of automatic weapons.

The discussion comes in the wake of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas that left 59 dead and over 500 wounded. Recent news has indicated that the shooter had modified at least some of the weapons used in the attack with the modification.

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and Executive Director Chris Cox announced they would open talks to discuss the regulation of bump stocks in their first statement since the shooting.

“The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations,” the statement said.

The NRA cast blame on former President Barack Obama. They claimed that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had decided in 2010 that bump stock modifications did not convert semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons, a decision made during Obama’s tenure.

Sen, Dianne Feinstein and other Democrats did not share the NRA’s view on who to blame, however. Feinstein pointed out that during the 2010 decision, the ATF “made clear it did not have the authority to regulate bump stocks.”

Obama routinely opposed the NRA during his administration, criticizing how they put pressure on lawmakers to oppose gun control even in the wake of several devastating shootings.

The NRA’s decision to open talks is not without precedent. Even though it is rare for the NRA to support any sort of gun control, the group had already previous banned the use of bump stocks at the firing range located in their headquarters.

Republican leaders, likewise, have stated they are open to discussing the idea of banning the gun modification. Others interested in opening talks included House Speaker Paul Ryan and press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, speaking on behalf of the white house.

“It’s something we’re very open to, and we want to be a part of the conversation moving forward,” Sanders said, adding that in regards to the discussion, White House would “welcome that”.

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