Following the horrible events of Las Vegas on October 1, people were looking for answers. It didn’t take long to learn that the killer used bump-fire stocks to create so much havoc at a peaceful music festival. It also didn’t take long for people to notice that sporting retailer Cabela’s was no longer selling the stocks.

The company has finally issued a statement as to just why they have stopped selling them despite no new regulations being in place at this time.

“On Tuesday, October 3, Cabela’s initiated the process of discontinuing the sale of these devices at all retail locations and online,” Cabela’s wrote in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “We agree with the National Rifle Association and others that the sale of such devices should be subject to additional regulation.”

The bump stocks were no longer available on the company’s website as of Wednesday with an error message redirecting customers to different products. Six different store clerks in six different states told the Washington Examiner over the phone that the device was flying off the shelves after the shooting. Two clerks said that any bump stocks leftover were shipped back to the manufacturer.

“Like all Americans, we are shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy in Las Vegas,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and loved ones. We also pay tribute to the first responders and other heroes who provided care and support during the assault.”

Obscure before and immediately controversial after the attack, bump stocks are relatively cheap, pretty easy to install, and completely legal. While machineguns fire multiple shots with a single pull of the trigger, a bump stock uses a rifle’s recoil and shooter’s shoulder to “bump” the trigger and achieve rapid fire. In less than 20 minutes, a shooter can unbox the device, install it on his semi-automatic rifle, and go full auto. No gunsmith and no background check required.

I find Cabela’s comments less than compelling.

After all, do they mean to tell us they had no clue what these stocks were used for prior to deciding to sell them? I find that highly unlikely. They knew and they made a business decision to sell a legal item that allowed private citizens to achieve a high rate of fire. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. As I said, these stocks are perfectly legal.

Following Las Vegas, they made a decision to pull them from their inventory. That’s their right as a business, and I won’t condemn them for it.

Yet they claim they agree that the devices should be subject to additional regulation? Why didn’t they feel this was at any point from September 30 or before?

The reality is the stocks haven’t changed. They’re the same devices people have bought since 2010 when they were approved by the BATFE. There’s been no change…except now a maniac has used them for something horrible.

Yet the legalities haven’t changed. The objective facts regarding bump-fire stocks haven’t changed, either, and those objective facts didn’t bother anyone at Cabela’s prior to Las Vegas.

Again, the company has a right to pull any product from their inventory they want. I just take issue with their belief the product they’ve made a fair bit of money off of should now be under additional regulations. Sell whatever you want, so long as it’s legal. Just don’t throw support behind new regulations for something you don’t want to sell anymore because you find doing so to be a public relations nightmare.