By Jack Heffernan

The Columbian

With a federal ban approaching, Washington State Patrol bought back its budgeted number of bump stocks.

Since March 17, WSP collected 1,000 bump stocks in exchange for money vouchers. In Vancouver, 96 bump stocks were exchanged while 26 were turned in with no voucher, WSP Trooper Will Finn said.

On Monday, several people left the WSP offices without exchanging because there were no funds left, Finn said.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation March 14 to create $150,000 in funding for the program, enough to buy back 1,000 bump stocks. Participants were allowed to bring in up to five bump stocks, operable or inoperable, and receive a $150 voucher per device.

WSP could host additional events if funding is made available from the state, Finn said.

Bump stocks allow semi-automatic guns to fire more rapidly than standard stocks and grips, simulating automatic weapons.

A national ban on the equipment took effect Tuesday. Those found in possession of bump stocks could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a $250,000 fine under federal law, Finn said.

Gun rights groups asked the Supreme Court to stop the Trump administration from beginning to enforce its ban on the weapons, but Chief Justice John Roberts denied the motion.

The groups asked the court Monday to get involved in the issue and keep the government from beginning to enforce the ban for now. The ban has put the Trump administration in the unusual position of arguing against gun rights groups. It’s unclear how quickly the court will act.

President Donald Trump said last year that the government would move to ban bump stocks. The action followed a 2017 shooting in Las Vegas in which a gunman attached bump stocks to assault-style rifles he used to shoot concertgoers. Fifty-eight people were killed.