Apparently it IS the right time to talk about gun control

[JoeH]

There is a reason the NRA is speaking up at this point, they want the regulation of "bump" stocks to be done by the ATF. This many dead is apparently enough for some in Congress who have been dragging their feet on gun control to notice a change in the political winds. The NRA is concerned if a law does end up going ahead in Congress that even more controls might be included by the time it is passed. If they can get the ATF to ban the modification, then the political pressure is off, and the NRA thinks they can control the outcome.

(This of course is when the NRA is not blaming the lack of regulation of "bump" stocks on Pres. Obama. Came across mention of that also happening.)