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


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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
‘It’s not normal for parents to raise their children in isolation’
instant opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Is a market crash around the corner?
Talking Points Observers see echoes of 1929
-
Frankenstein is alive, the Alabama prison system is exposed and Rose Byrne goes full Crazy Mom in October movies
the week recommends This month’s new releases include ‘Frankenstein,’ ‘The Alabama Solution’ and ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You’
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland