Updated at 5 p.m: Revised to include additional comments.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has directed the Justice Department to draft regulations that would ban bump stocks — the rifle accessory used in the Las Vegas shooting that allows a shooter to fire at nearly automatic rates.

Trump made the announcement during a Public Safety Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony at the White House — days after the Florida high school shooting that left 17 people dead. The Las Vegas shooter killed nearly 60 people at an outdoor concert in October. Bump stocks were not used in the Florida shooting last week or in the massacre at the Sutherland Springs church in November.

"Just a few moments ago, I signed a memorandum directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns," Trump said, adding that he expects it to be finalized "very soon."

BREAKING: President Trump says he’s directed AG Sessions to clarify if bump stocks are illegal and to propose regulations to “ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns.” pic.twitter.com/cnZ2mc08TF — NBC News (@NBCNews) February 20, 2018

The White House didn't address whether the thousands of bump stocks sold legally around the country would be confiscated under a ban. Gun stores reported an uptick in sales of the device in the days and months after the Las Vegas shooting.

"Although I desire swift and decisive action, I remain committed to the rule of law and to the procedures the law prescribes," Trump's memorandum read. "Doing this the right way will ensure that the resulting regulation is workable and effective and leaves no loopholes for criminals to exploit."

In the aftermath of the Las Vegas massacre, some lawmakers in both parties called for a ban on bump stocks, but Congress has yet to move forward with a ban. The main bump stock maker, Texas-based Slide Fire, resumed sales weeks later, and local municipalities began implementing their own bans.

Slide Fire's owner, Jeremiah Cottle, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In its last email to customers, the company offered 10 percent off for Presidents Day with the code "MAGA." Slide Fire's website was not operating immediately following the president's announcement because of a high volume of visitors to the site.

In December, the Justice Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that it would re-examine the legality of the device, despite a 2010 review by ATF that determined it does not have the authority to regulate them.

ATF received more than 35,000 comments, including dozens from Texans, during its one-month public commenting period.

But Democratic lawmakers are wary of ATF's review. On Tuesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., called on Trump to allow Congress to pass a ban because ATF lacks the authority to do so.

"If ATF tries to ban these devices after admitting repeatedly that it lacks the authority to do so, that process could be tied up in court for years, and that would mean bump stocks would continue to be sold," Feinstein said in a prepared statement. "Legislation is the only answer."

Last week, the White House announced that Trump will host a "listening session" with high school students and teachers Wednesday.

"We can do more to protect our children. We must do more to protect our children," Trump said Tuesday at the White House.

Staff writer Karen Robinson-Jacobs contributed to this report.