Skip to main content
Tags: trump | gun control | background checks

Trump Backs Effort to Improve Gun Background Checks

Trump Backs Effort to Improve Gun Background Checks
(Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

By    |   Monday, 19 February 2018 09:21 AM EST

President Donald Trump is open to improving background checks for gun purchases in the wake of the 17 murders at a South Florida high school, the White House said Monday.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump has already spoken to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, about a bill he introduced with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. That bill is designed to strengthen how state and federal governments report offenses that could block certain people from purchasing a gun, CNN said.

"While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the President is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system," Sanders said in a statement.

Sanders' comments came as students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, are still reeling from last week's shooting that left 17 people dead. Police have identified Nikolas Cruz as the shooter.

After the shooting, Trump had called the shooter "mentally disturbed."

CNN noted students, teachers and lawmakers have been calling for Trump and GOP congressional leaders to push for stronger gun control laws in the wake of the shooting.

Trump, who is spending the weekend at his private Palm Beach estate, started President's Day at his nearby golf club. The White House did not immediately answer questions about whether he was playing golf.

The president spent most of the weekend at Mar-a-Lago, as White House aides advised against golfing too soon after the shooting at a Parkland high school that left 17 dead.

Trump spent much of the holiday weekend watching cable television news and grousing to club members and advisers about the investigation of Russian election meddling.

This report contains material from The Associated Press.

© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


Headline
President Donald Trump is open to improving background checks for gun purchases in the wake of the 17 murders at a South Florida high school, the White House said Monday.
trump, gun control, background checks
277
2018-21-19
Monday, 19 February 2018 09:21 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved