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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 20 February 2018
Trump offers support for limited effort on background checks

By CATHERINE LUCEY pressing for a ban on as-
MARIA DANILOVA sault-type weapons and for
Associated Press laws enabling family mem-
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) bers, guardians or police to
— From the confines of his ask judges to strip gun rights
golf club, President Don- temporarily from people
ald Trump offered support who show warning signs of
for a limited strengthen- violence.
ing of federal background “We need a compre-
checks on gun purchas- hensive system,” Brown
es Monday while staying said. “One of these isn’t
largely mum in the last few enough.”
days about the victims of Trump, who visited first re-
the Florida school mas- sponders and some vic-
sacre and the escalating tims Friday, has focused
debate about controls on his comments on mental
weapons. health, rather than guns.
One side of that debate The White House says the
was represented outside president will host a “listen-
the White House as dozens ing session” with students
of teens spread their bod- and teachers this week
ies across the pavement and will discuss school safe-
to symbolize the dead and ty with state and local offi-
call for stronger gun con- Demonstrators participate in a "lie-in" during a protest in favor of gun control reform in front of the cials. But they have offered
trols, a precursor to a march White House, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, in Washington. no further details on who
in Washington planned (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) will attend those sessions.q
next month by survivors of port the criminal history of
the Parkland school shoot- the gunman who slaugh-
ing and supporters of their tered more than two dozen
cause. people at a Texas church.
At his Florida club just 40 The White House statement
miles from a community comes as shooting survivors
ravaged by the shooting and other young people
that left 17 dead last week, press for more gun control
Trump gave a nod toward in a rising chorus of grief
a specific policy action, and activism. Their "March
with the White House say- for Our Lives" is planned
ing he had spoken Friday March 24 in Washington.
to Sen. John Cornyn, a Ella Fesler, 16-year-old high
Texas Republican, about school student in Alexan-
a bipartisan bill designed dria, Virginia, was among
to strengthen the FBI da- the students at the "lie-in"
tabase of prohibited gun in front of the White House.
buyers. She said it was time for
Spokeswoman Sarah Huck- change, adding: "Every
abee Sanders qualified the day when I say 'bye' to my
support, stressing that talks parents, I do acknowledge
continue and "revisions are the fact that I could never
being considered," but said see my parents again."
"the president is supportive But previous gun tragedies
of efforts to improve the have not produced action
federal background check in Congress. After the Las
system." Vegas massacre in the fall,
The main action Trump has Republicans and Demo-
taken on guns in office has crats in Congress talked
been to sign a resolution about taking a rare step
blocking an Obama-era to tighten the nation's gun
rule designed to keep guns laws. Four months later, the
out of the hands of certain only gun legislation that
mentally disabled people. has moved in the House or
The president has voiced Senate instead eases re-
strong support for gun rights strictions for gun owners.
and the National Rifle Asso- Kristin Brown, co-president
ciation. of the Brady Campaign to
The bipartisan background Prevent Gun Violence, said
check legislation would be the measure Trump dis-
aimed at ensuring that fed- cussed with Cornyn would
eral agencies and states help to enforce existing
accurately report relevant rules but would not close
criminal information to the loopholes permitting loose
FBI. It was introduced after private sales on the inter-
the Air Force failed to re- net and at gun shows. She's