Trump reverses course on background checks for guns

National News

August 21, 2019 - 11:07 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump insists that the U.S. already has “very, very strong background checks” for gun purchases. It’s the latest sign that he is backing away from throwing his political support behind changes to the system that are opposed by the powerful gun lobby.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump also noted “a lot of the people that put me where I am are strong believers in the Second Amendment,” and suggested he worries about blurring the contrast between Republicans and Democrats on the issue.

“We have to be very careful about that,” he said.

 

A GRADUAL rhetorical softening by Trump has taken place in the more than two weeks since gunmen opened fire in El Paso, Texas, then in Dayton, Ohio, leaving more than 30 people dead. Trump said in the tragedies’ wake that he was eager to implement “very meaningful background checks” and told reporters there was “tremendous support” for action.

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