The National Rifle Association is giving President Trump tons of negative pressure after he discussed expanding background checks after the recent shootings in El Paso and Dayton.
What We Know:
- In conversations Trump has had with NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre over the last two days, LaPierre has made clear that he does not support the expansion of the background checks for purchasing guns.
- According to “CNN”, LaPierre “stressed to Trump that they don’t think the calls for more restrictive gun measures in Washington match how his supporters in deep red areas feel about the issue,” the source familiar with the conversations said.
- In a series of tweets on Thursday, the organization stated their “long-standing position that those who have been adjudicated as a danger to themselves or others should not have access to firearms…But, there needs to be real evidence of danger — and we cannot sacrifice anyone’s constitutional rights without due process…”
- “It is not enough anymore to simply say that ‘we need more background checks.’ Considering both suspects in El Paso and Dayton passed them, that is rhetoric for billionaire activists and campaign rallies — not a call for constructive progress” the organization continued to say.
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The day after his initial call with LaPierre, Trump told the media that he will be working with Congress on legislation to address mass shootings and will be starting with background checks and mental illness.
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Trump has previously expressed support for tighter gun restrictions — particularly in the wake of last year’s Parkland shooting — but once the NRA fired back, he backed off.
- Trump last year signed the Fix NICS Act, which awards funds to states that voluntarily provide information on individuals for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database.
- The law did not prevent recent shootings and there is currently no evidence that the two alleged shooters were legally prohibited from owning firearms.
Trump needs to make some power moves to stop these senseless killings in America.
