Sen. Schumer urges president to back comprehensive gun control
Listen to this articleWASHINGTON- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Thursday urged President Donald Trump to back a series of gun control measures he suggested support for during a recent White House meeting.
“Today I am strongly urging the president to follow through on his comments yesterday by endorsing these proposals and pushing Republican leaders in Congress to once and for all buck the NRA and finally get this done,” Schumer said at a news conference.
Schumer did not introduce legislation but said Democrats are working to craft a bill that would close existing loopholes in the criminal background check system and allow for the issuance of protective orders permitting law enforcement to temporarily confiscate guns from people considered a threat to society or themselves. Schumer said Democrats will insist that the Senate consider an assault weapons ban.
On Wednesday, Trump met with a group of bipartisan lawmakers from both the House and Senate to discuss ways of improving school safety. During the meeting Trump said he supports expanded criminal background checks and making it easier for law enforcement personnel to confiscate weapons from people who are mentally ill. Trump suggested support for an assault weapons ban.
Many of the Republicans present pushed back and later said they were surprised by the president’s proposals.
Seventeen people were killed on Feb. 14 when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Police charged Nikolas Cruz, 19, with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
Law enforcement agencies failed to followup on tips claiming Cruz might be prone to violence.
The shooting has reignited the gun control debate but it is unclear if Congress will act.
Schumer said Trump’s support is crucial to passing legislation.
“Policies that are supported by the vast-vast majority of the American public, fed up with gun violence, has now the best chance we have had in decades of becoming law, but only, only, with the president’s help,” he said.
Bryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a life-long passion for politics at all levels. He has interned in the Maryland General Assembly and has volunteered for several congressional campaigns. Given this particular background, he has a unique insight into the dynamics of political analysis. When he is not writing, Bryan spends his time reading about history and frequenting Chinese restaurants.