In this Oct. 4, 2017 AP file photo, a device called a "bump stock" is attached to a semi-automatic rifle at the Gun Vault store and shooting range in South Jordan, Utah. The Trump administration has officially ban bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like automatic firearms. A senior Justice Department official said Tuesday bump stocks will be banned under the federal law that prohibits machine guns. It will take effect in late March.

The national bump stock ban may be a nonissue for Butler County.

Bump fire stocks are gunstocks designed to easier promote bump firing, a process allowing semi-automatic firearms to fire in a similar manner and speed of fully automatic weapons.

After plans began in March, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday the stocks would be classified as machine guns and illegal.

Owners of existing bumps stocks, including current owners, gun shops and manufacturers, must destroy or turn over the banned attachments to police.

Sgt. Jack Ripper of the Penn Township Police said he is not sure how much of an impact the ban will have on local residents.

“I've never ran into one. I've never laid hands on one,” Ripper said. “I don't know anyone around here that has one.”

Grant Williams, owner of Sportsman's Supply, said the product was not heavily sought at his store.

Williams said those that he helped acquire the attachments for were physically handicapped and were using the stock to help them enjoy shooting guns as a hobby.

“They enjoyed shooting, and it was a means for using that product for that,” Williams said. “I would feel badly that these people have been criminalized for the actions for a few.”

This is an excerpt — read more local reactions to the ban in Thursday's Butler Eagle.