President Thoroughly Embraces ‘Comprehensive’ Gun Control Strategy Leaving Dems Giddy, GOP Scrambling
In a televised session on Wednesday, President Donald Trump signaled support on everything from expanded background checks, increased school security and mental health resources, and age limits. Trump also suggested that law enforcement officials should be able to confiscate people's firearms without a court order.
The New York Times:
Trump Stuns Lawmakers With Seeming Embrace Of Gun Control
President Trump stunned Republicans on live television Wednesday by embracing gun control and urging a group of lawmakers at the White House to resurrect gun safety legislation that has been opposed for years by the powerful National Rifle Association and the vast majority of his party. In a remarkable meeting, the president veered wildly from the N.R.A. playbook in front of giddy Democrats and stone-faced Republicans. He called for comprehensive gun control legislation that would expand background checks to weapons purchased at gun shows and on the internet, keep guns from mentally ill people, secure schools and restrict gun sales for some young adults. He even suggested a conversation on an assault weapons ban. (Shear, 2/28)
The Associated Press:
Trump Says Some Lawmakers Too Fearful Of NRA To Take Action
"We can't wait and play games and nothing gets done," Trump said as he opened the session with 17 House and Senate lawmakers. "We want to stop the problems." Trump also raised eyebrows by suggesting that law enforcement officials should be able to confiscate people's firearms without a court order to prevent potential tragedies. (3/1)
The Washington Post:
Trump Surprises Lawmakers In Backing Some Tougher Gun Controls
Most striking were Trump’s remarks decrying what he called excessive “checks and balances” that limit what can be done to prevent mentally unfit people from buying or keeping guns. “Take the firearms first, and then go to court,” Trump said, cutting off Vice President Pence as Pence articulated a version of the due-process arguments that the NRA and other gun-rights advocates have used to derail past gun-control measures. “You could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” (Gearan, DeBonis and Kim, 2/28)
The Wall Street Journal:
Trump Urges Congress To Take Action On Guns
“If this meeting ends up with just sort of vague notions of future compromise, then nothing will happen,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.). “Mr. President, it’s going to have to be you that brings the Republicans to the table on this.” “I like that responsibility,” Mr. Trump replied. (Radnofsky, Peterson and Andrews, 2/28)
The Wall Street Journal:
School Killings Spur Effort To Renew Government Gun-Violence Research
For more than 20 years, federal law has effectively halted the government’s ability to research gun violence. Now, the shooting that killed 17 at a Florida high school in February has prompted a bipartisan group of lawmakers to take another look at the restrictions. As lawmakers tangle over other gun-violence prevention measures, Democrats and some centrist Republicans are pushing to eliminate a provision tucked into spending bills that has restricted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ability to conduct research on the topic. (Peterson, McKay and Armour, 2/28)
The New York Times:
Walmart And Dick’s Raise Minimum Age For Gun Buyers To 21
Two of the nation’s leading gun sellers, Walmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods, took steps on Wednesday to limit their sales of firearms, thrusting themselves into the middle of the polarizing national debate over gun control. Walmart, the biggest gun seller, announced late in the afternoon that it would not sell any gun to anyone under 21 years of age. It also said it would no longer sell items resembling assault-style rifles, including toys and air guns. (Creswell and Corkery, 2/28)
The Washington Post:
Walmart To Raise The Age For Customers Buying Guns And Ammunition
The world’s largest retailer, Walmart, announced a change to its policies Wednesday, saying it would raise the minimum age required to buy a firearm and ammunition and remove any items that resemble assault rifles from its shelves. In a statement, the company said it would raise its age requirement to 21 from 18, a decision it made “in light of recent events” — most notable the national discussion about gun control since the Feb. 14 shooting at a high school in Florida that left 17 people dead. (Rosenberg, 2/28)
The Wall Street Journal:
Walmart, Dick’s Say They Will Stop Selling Guns To Those Under 21
Dick’s disclosed Wednesday that it had sold a shotgun to accused Parkland, Fla., killer Nikolas Cruz in November, though it wasn’t used in the shooting. The gunman used an AR-15 model rifle, which is a semiautomatic rifle that allows the user to fire rapidly and use high-capacity magazines. Earlier in February, police in Vermont also arrested and charged an 18-year-old who had allegedly bought a shotgun at Dick’s and planned to attack a school. (Nassauer, Hufford and Elinson, 2/28)
The Hill:
Mental Groups Push For Policy Changes After Shooting
Mental health advocates are seizing on the new spotlight on their issue after the Florida shooting, as President Trump and congressional Republicans focus on mental health as a solution to gun violence. Some mental health groups want to use the renewed attention on mental illness to push for more resources to address what they see as major gaps in the country’s mental health system. (Weixel, 3/1)
Los Angeles Times:
When NRA Members Attend Their Convention, ER Doctors See Fewer Patients With Gun Injuries, Study Says
For all the fiery rhetoric issued during annual meetings of the National Rifle Assn., new research suggests that life gets a bit more peaceful in hospital emergency departments when the country's most ardent gun-rights advocates attend their yearly confab. The rate at which Americans head to ERs seeking treatment for gun injuries dips during the days that the NRA typically holds its annual convention compared with three- and four-day periods just before and after the meeting, a new study shows. (Healy, 2/28)