In the immediate wake of the tragic mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, the left issued its typical demands for Congress and even the White House to “do something” to prevent future instances of similar gun violence, and initially, it seemed like President Donald Trump was on board with the effort to try and get something — anything — done.
Trump initially signaled an openness to supporting broadened, “universal” background checks for gun purchases as well as so-called “red flag” laws that allow the preemptive confiscation of firearms from potentially dangerous individuals — but it appears that openness was short-lived, as he has reportedly taken the possible expansion of background checks “off the table.”
Universal background checks “off the table”
The revelation came from The Atlantic, which cited unnamed current and former officials in both the White House and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Despite his earlier expressions of willingness to do something with regard to universal background checks, Trump reportedly cooled on the idea after speaking with the NRA and receiving briefings on the details of multiple recent mass shooting events, none of which would have been prevented by expanded or universal background checks.
That turnabout reportedly led to another phone call with NRA president Wayne LaPierre in which Trump reportedly informed him that universal background checks were “off the table” and no longer under consideration.
“He was cementing his stance that we already have background checks and that he’s not waffling on this anymore,” an unnamed source said to have been briefed on the call explained to The Atlantic. “He doesn’t want to pursue it.”
Focus on mental health, enforcement of existing laws
Instead, the source suggested that Trump wanted to focus on getting more funding appropriated for mental health care, an issue he believes is a driving force behind mass shooting incidents and for state attorneys general and federal U.S. attorneys nationwide to make more of an effort in actually enforcing gun laws already on the books.
That thinking was seemingly expressed by Trump himself while speaking with reporters on Sunday ahead of his return to the White House from his golf resort in Bedminster, New Jersey.
“People don’t realize, we have very strong background checks right now. You go in to buy a gun, you have to sign up. There are a lot of background checks that have been approved over the years, so I’ll have to see what it is,” the president said.
Cautious approach
While anything is possible, it would appear at the moment that President Trump has no appetite to further expand background checks for gun purchases that would do virtually nothing to stop mass shooters and would only infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners and prospective purchasers.
To be sure, there will likely be a renewed push on the issue once Congress returns in September from its late summer recess, and it isn’t out of the question that Trump could change his mind again and resume support for a bipartisan bill that expanded or strengthened the current background check laws.
Doing so would likely be a big risk for the president, however, as it would be unlikely to curry him much favor among the liberal media and anti-gun left and would certainly alienate a significant portion of his base of support, so we will all just have to wait and see what, if anything, happens over the next few months.
1,244 Responses
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thank you!
Since the admin of this site is working, no uncertainty very quickly it will be well-known, due to its feature contents.|
afyonkarahisar mobil uygulama geliştirme firmaları
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
Hi there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this site.|
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a whole lot and don’t manage to get nearly anything done.
denizli mobil uygulama geliştirme firmaları
This website was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thanks.
mars haberleri
You are so interesting! I don’t think I have read anything like this before. So nice to find someone with some unique thoughts on this topic. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal website now 😉
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.|
You’re so interesting! I don’t think I have read through anything like that before. So nice to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed on the internet, someone with some originality.
sikiş izle
Thanks for the blog.Much thanks again.
I blog often and I really appreciate your content. The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a data! existing here at this web site, thanks admin of this web page.|
Very good article. I definitely appreciate this website. Keep writing!
Ahaa, its good discussion concerning this paragraph here at this web site, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.|
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Cheers.
kıl çadırda sikişen escort
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful article. Thanks for supplying these details.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the web. I’m going to highly recommend this web site!
Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may return yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written any better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I am going to send this information to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a great read. Many thanks for sharing!
Hello there, I do think your web site may be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, great site!|
Thanks a lot for the post. Much obliged.
I blog often and I truly appreciate your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.|
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for supplying these details.
Excellent blog right here! Also your site lots up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link in your host? I want my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something which helped me. Thanks!|
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but definitely you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a superb article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
This is the perfect web site for anybody who wishes to understand this topic. You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a topic that has been written about for ages. Great stuff, just great.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog post. Really Great.