Georgia gubernatorial candidate to raffle off a 'bump stock'
ATLANTA - Michael Williams, a Republican State Senator, and candidate for Georgia governor said he opposes a ban on bump stocks and even plans to give one away.
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Williams said he will raffle off one bump stock to a lucky winner, but they have to be registered on his campaign website to participate.
"It's just to send a message that we are going to fight this tooth and nail and that we have to stand up, and again support our Second Amendment," said Williams.
In the weeks following the mass shooting in Las Vegas, the National Rifle Association has joined with the Trump administration and top congressional Republicans calling for a review of bump stocks, a device used by the gunman at the Mandalay Bay resort.
RELATED: National Rifle Association calls for federal review of bump stocks
Williams said he is vehemently opposed to any such ban and this giveaway is designed to prove a point.
"My immediate reaction was that it's completely irresponsible and insensitive, really," said Amy Jeffs, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America's Georgia chapter.
The group is made up of a grassroots network of mothers who lobby lawmakers for stronger gun policies and supports limiting the availability of bump stocks.
"I believe that you can stand behind the Second Amendment and be anti-gun violence and look at measures to put in place to curb gun violence," said Jeffs.
Williams said he stands by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms 2015 determining memo that bump stocks were not mechanical, therefore they do not fall under the machine gun weapons ban of 1986.
The candidate also said he understands bump stocks are not specifically protected under the Second Amendment, he believes a ban would just open the door to more restrictions on gun owners.
"It's just a tool to increase the rate of fire. You can use a bungee cord and are we going to push to ban bungee cords? Again, if somebody wants to carry out this horrific act, they're going to find a way to do it," said Williams.
Williams believes the country needs to address mental health issues that propel someone to carry out a violent act rather than the weapons they use to do it.
According to Williams, more than a thousand people have registered for the bump stock give away. He plans to draw a name sometime next week, although details about when and how the prize will be delivered have not been finalized.