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.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
-
Millions turn out for anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ ralliesSpeed Read An estimated 7 million people participated, 2 million more than at the first ‘No Kings’ protest in June
