NRA Says It Does Not Support Raising Gun Age Limit, Contradicting Trump
- 6 years ago
The National Rifle Association has publicly contradicted President Trump’s assertion that it would support a higher age limit for some gun purchases.
The National Rifle Association has publicly contradicted President Trump's assertion that it would support a higher age limit for some gun purchases.
On ABC's "This Week," host George Stephanopoulos was interviewing Dana Loesch, a spokesperson for the group, when he said to her, "The position is, you do not want to raise the age."
She confirmed, "That's what the NRA came out and said, that's correct."
This dialogue was prompted by comments Trump had made Thursday where he proposed changing the minimum age for buying some firearms from 18 to 21, adding, "And the NRA will back it."
However, the group had already indicated that it would oppose such a move, with another spokesperson, Jennifer Baker, saying, "Passing a law that makes it illegal for a 20-year-old to purchase a shotgun for hunting or adult single mother from purchasing the most effective self-defense rifle on the market punishes law-abiding citizens for the evil acts of criminals."
The public debate over minimum age has intensified since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that claimed 17 lives. The suspect is 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz.
Trump expressed his position on Twitter as well.
"I will be strongly pushing Comprehensive Background Checks with an emphasis on Mental Health. Raise age to 21 and end sale of Bump Stocks! Congress is in a mood to finally do something on this issue - I hope!" the president wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the NRA has tried to place the blame for the mass shooting, in part, on missteps made by local law enforcement.
The National Rifle Association has publicly contradicted President Trump's assertion that it would support a higher age limit for some gun purchases.
On ABC's "This Week," host George Stephanopoulos was interviewing Dana Loesch, a spokesperson for the group, when he said to her, "The position is, you do not want to raise the age."
She confirmed, "That's what the NRA came out and said, that's correct."
This dialogue was prompted by comments Trump had made Thursday where he proposed changing the minimum age for buying some firearms from 18 to 21, adding, "And the NRA will back it."
However, the group had already indicated that it would oppose such a move, with another spokesperson, Jennifer Baker, saying, "Passing a law that makes it illegal for a 20-year-old to purchase a shotgun for hunting or adult single mother from purchasing the most effective self-defense rifle on the market punishes law-abiding citizens for the evil acts of criminals."
The public debate over minimum age has intensified since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that claimed 17 lives. The suspect is 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz.
Trump expressed his position on Twitter as well.
"I will be strongly pushing Comprehensive Background Checks with an emphasis on Mental Health. Raise age to 21 and end sale of Bump Stocks! Congress is in a mood to finally do something on this issue - I hope!" the president wrote on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the NRA has tried to place the blame for the mass shooting, in part, on missteps made by local law enforcement.