Starburst automatic weapon effect

Hi Ken,

For the past couple of years, on TV shows and both independent and big studio feature films, I've noticed a flare effect used on the barrels of automatic weapons when firing. It has a very specific look with 3-4 points of a flare, almost like a starburst. It was used repeatedly in "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes."
It seems like it may be some kind of plug-in effect.
Is anybody familiar with this and, if so, can you tell me what it's called and how it can be obtained?

Thanks,
Phil