President Trump has labeled the Parkland shooting an “evil massacre,” a characterization that few Americans would disagree with. The office of the presidency has a way of humbling people once they realize that the weight of an entire nation is on their shoulders.
For President Trump, the second large-scale massacre of his presidency must certainly have been a jarring experience. Speaking about the Parkland shooting, Trump said:
“I met with some of the survivors and their families, and I was moved — greatly moved, greatly moved — by their strength, their resilience…we must do more to protect our children.”
Further, whispers are leaking from the White House that the president might push for moderate gun control reform. Indeed, President Trump apparently asked the Justice Department to draft a ban on bump stocks. These stocks can be used to essentially simulate a fully automatic (and thus illegal) rifle.
It doesn’t appear that a bump stock was used by the Parkland shooter (who I will not name, as I don’t believe in “glorifying” shooters), but the Las Vegas shooter did use them to spray bullets onto the concert crowd.
Given the last few months, the NRA might not push too hard against a bump stock ban. However, rumors hint that Trump is considering more comprehensive gun control measures. Trump has already raised the issue of mental instability, noting that the Parkland shooter was both mentally disturbed and that authorities were aware of his conditions.
“Trump [spoke] at the NRA’s annual convention, becoming the first U.S. president to address the gun-rights group since Ronald Reagan in 1983.” (Credit: Facebook/Bloomberg)
“The Second Amendment is on the ballot in November. The only way to save our Second Amendment is to vote for a person that you all know named Donald Trump.”
Once in office, President Trump repealed Obama-era regulations that made it more difficult for some mentally unstable people to purchase firearms. It does not appear that the Obama-era policies would have prevented the Parkland shooter from acquiring a rifle.
President Trump Considering More Stringent Background Checks
A spokesperson for President Trump has previously said that he would support measures to improve the federal background check system. Details remain scarce; however, the president did speak with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in recent days about a bill they introduced. The bill would strengthen reporting measures for state and federal governments.
“Gun background checks finish strong in December [2017]” (Credit: Facebook/Veto Gunmaggedon)
Regardless, the shooter was able to legally acquire an AR-style rifle, which was used in the attack. He was able to legally purchase the weapon from Sunrise Tactical Supply store. He was forced to wait seven days but ultimately passed federal background checks.
Age Limits Also on the Table
Many are wondering how someone who was obviously mentally unstable was able to so easily acquire a gun. Gun control advocates have noted that it is far easier for a teenager to buy a gun than to buy alcohol. It is rather perplexing that young people can buy a weapon that can inflict great harm but aren’t trusted with booze.
President Trump is apparently considering raising the age for buying semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee also stated that the idea was on the table.
Gun control measures could cost Trump a lot of support. The NRA donated $30 million to his presidential bid and also ran attack ads against his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Will the group continue to support Trump if he tightens gun controls?
At the same time, a Washington Post/ABC News survey also found that 60 percent pertaining to gun control of Americans believe that Trump and Congress are not doing enough to prevent mass shootings. Either way, gun control reform will be a contentious battle.
