Trump says he wants background checks, but also reassures the NRA
1 / 6TrumpPresident Donald Trump talks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, in Washington, as he prepares to leave Washington for his annual August holiday at his New Jersey golf club. WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday he believes he has influence to rally Republicans around stronger federal background check laws as Congress and the White House work on a response to last weekend's mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.
He said Friday he now is looking for"very meaningful background checks" but is not considering a resurrection of an assault weapons ban. He said he also believes lawmakers will support"red flag" laws that allow guns to be removed from those who may be a danger to themselves and others. But McConnell, thus far, has only committed to a discussion of the issue. Republicans have long opposed expanding background checks — a bill passed by the Democratic-led House is stalled in McConnell's Senate — but they face new pressure after the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, that left 31 people dead.
But Trump said he'd spoken with LaPierre this week and"I think in the end, Wayne and the NRA will either be there or either be a little more neutral."On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell said he now wants background checks and other action, setting up a potentially pivotal moment when lawmakers return in the fall.
In a joint statement, they said Trump called them individually after Pelosi sent a letter asking the president to order the Senate back to Washington to consider gun violence measures. The NRA says proposals being discussed in Congress would not have prevented the shootings in Texas and Ohio.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The NRA reportedly called Donald Trump after shootings and warned him not to support background checksNRA's leader told the president that background check legislation would hurt his popularity with the Republican base and urged him to reconsider his position, according to officials.
Read more »
Parents of baby in viral El Paso photo with Donald Trump were supporters of the president'I do want to speak to the president honestly,' the infant's uncle, Tito, said. 'I just want to have a human to human talk with him and see how he feels.'
Read more »
Donald Trump Jr. compares Joaquin Castro's Trump donors list to Dayton shooter's 'kill list'Donald Trump Jr. told 'Fox & Friends' that the list of Trump 2020 donors tweeted by Rep. Joaquin Castro 'screams of' the Dayton shooter Connor Betts' 'kill list.'
Read more »
Fox Business Host Calls on Trump to Ban Assault Weapons, Battles Ex-NRA SpokeswomanD DipasupilIn a somewhat surprising move, Fox Business Network host Trish Regan—a vocal and loyal booster of President Donald Trump—on Wednesday called for stricter gun laws and the ban of assault weapons. Her comments drew the ire of one-time NRA spokesperson and frequent Fox News guest Dana Loesch.With
Read more »
Trump signals support for background checks but says NRA views must be 'respected'NEW: Pres. Trump tweeted this morning that there are “serious discussions” between House and Senate leadership on “meaningful background checks,' though Congress is unlikely to respond to last weekend's deadly mass shootings until at least September.
Read more »
'Meaningful background checks' needed, Trump says, but NRA views must be 'respected''Go and really study hard, and some day you'll grow up and maybe be President of the United States,' Pres. Trump tells students who may be nervous about starting school after mass shootings. 'They have nothing to fear, they have nothing to worry about.'
Read more »