Story highlights Republicans are weighing whether to pass a ban on bump-fire stocks

The devices help semi-automatic firearms fire at an increased rate

(CNN) Florida Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo is planning to introduce legislation Thursday to ban the sale of bump fire stocks, an accessory that can allow semi-automatic firearms to rapidly increase their rate of firing rounds, similar to that of an automatic weapon, which are restricted by federal law.

"I think we are on the verge of a breakthrough when it comes to sensible gun policy," Curbelo told reporters Thursday, saying his office has been "flooded" with calls from other lawmakers asking about the bill.

He said that the shooting in Las Vegas, where the shooter appeared to modify several weapons with bump stocks to fire rounds more quickly, demonstrated that these devices, are in his opinion at the "outer limits of what the law allows, in this case something that we strongly believe should be illegal."

"This is such a blatant exploitation of the law, circumvention of the law, that the growing bipartisan consensus is a product of," Curbelo said about the shift after years of inaction by majority of congressional Republicans on gun legislation.

Curbelo's comments follow those of House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican who signaled openness Thursday to looking into bump fire stocks, and other Republicans have shown an openness to at least discussing a ban on the devices.

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