President Trump stated his belief that the National Rifle Association (NRA) will “get on board” with additional gun control measures while speaking to reporters on the South Lawn Friday morning.
The president has been advocating for stronger background checks and “red-flag” laws all week following dual mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that left over 30 people dead last weekend.
“I have a lot of respect for the people at the NRA and I have already spoken to them on numerous occasions and, frankly, we need intelligent background checks. This isn’t a question of NRA, Republican or Democrat,” Trump began. “I will tell you I spoke to Mitch McConnell yesterday. He’s totally on board. He said I’ve been waiting for your call. He is totally on board.”
He added, “We don’t want insane people, mentally ill people, bad people, dangerous people, we don’t want guns in the hands of the wrong people. I think that the Republicans are going to be great and lead the charge, along with the Democrats.”
Trump’s statements echo comments he made earlier in the day on social media, where he added that the NRA will have their views “fully represented and respected.”
….mentally ill or deranged people. I am the biggest Second Amendment person there is, but we all must work together for the good and safety of our Country. Common sense things can be done that are good for everyone!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 9, 2019
“We’ll see where the NRA will be. But we have to have meaningful background checks,” the president continued. “I really believe that the NRA — I’ve spoken to them numerous times. They’re really good people. They’re great patriots. They love our country. They love our country so much. And frankly, I really think they’re going to get there also.”
The president also downplayed the Washington Post’s report that NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre warned the president that a background check bill would not be popular among his supporters.
