The "bump stock"—an obscure accessory that transforms a semi-automatic assault rifle into a rapid-fire machine gun—has been widely available for purchase online and in gun stores across the country for years.And then it was used in the worst mass shooting in modern US history. On Tuesday, the devices—commonly sold under the "Slide Fires" brand—were listed online by Walmart and hunting equipment giant Cabela's at prices ranging from about $90 to $300. But by Wednesday, Slide Fires had vanished from both companies' websites. Cabela's and Walmart did not respond to multiple requests for comment from VICE News.Their disappearance coincides with the news that gunman Stephen Paddock was equipped with 12 bump stocks for the 23 firearms he had on hand when he mowed down revelers at a country music festival in Las Vegas from his 32nd-floor hotel room on Sunday night. At least 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured.
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