Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump signals Wednesday he could support banning people on terror watch lists from purchasing guns, a move that would place him in opposition to members of his own party.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, regularly touts his support for the constitutionally enshrined right to bear arms.
He has said after terrorist attacks, including the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday, that death tolls would have been lower if private citizens had been armed and able to shoot back.
But he suggests he is prepared to consider restrictions on gun purchases, after it was revealed the Orlando shooter legally bought a rifle and handgun in Florida despite having been investigated by the FBI about possible extremist ties.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives at a campaign rally at a private hanger at Greater Pittsburgh International Airport in Moon, Pennsylvania, June 11, 2016. (AP/Keith Srakocic)
“I will be meeting with the NRA, who has endorsed me, about not allowing people on the terrorist watch list, or the no fly list, to buy guns,” Trump tweets Wednesday.
Trump’s announcement may place him on a collision course with the National Rifle Association, which tweeted Tuesday that “restrictions like bans on gun purchases by people on ‘watch lists’ are ineffective, unconstitutional, or both.”
But the group opens the door to the Republican flag bearer Wednesday, saying they would be “happy to meet” with Trump.
— AFP
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