Trump tells governors not to be 'afraid of the NRA,' reportedly drops NRA-opposed plan on gun age limits

Trump tells lawmakers not to fear the NRA

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/CNN)

published 27 February 2018

In a meeting with governors on Monday, President Trump noted that he'd had lunch on Sunday with two top officials at the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox, and he insisted they "want to do "something" quickly about school shootings. "Half of you are afraid of the NRA — there's nothing to be afraid of," Trump told the governors. "And you know what? If they're not with you, we have to fight them every once in a while — that's okay."

Since the school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, Trump has floated support for several ideas the NRA isn't enthusiastic about — banning "bump stocks," significantly strengthening background checks, and raising the federal age to buy an assault rifle to 21 from 18. "It should all be at 21," Trump said Friday. "And the NRA will back it." On Monday he reiterated his support for the bump-stock ban and "very strong" background checks, but it appears Trump is "changing his position" on raising the age limit, CNN reports. "He's obviously moving back from that," a congressional source told CNN.

On Monday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump still backs a higher age limit for some gun purchases, but nothing has been finalized. "Everybody is in agreement that things need to be done and we have to have changes to take place to do what we can to protect America's kids," she said. "Members of the NRA want to be part of that discussion." Trump meets with lawmakers on legislative responses to school shootings on Wednesday.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.