Trump: Not enough ‘political support’ to raise age for gun buys

President Trump on Monday suggested he still supports raising the minimum age for purchasing a gun despite the idea being left out of a White House proposal released over the weekend.

In two morning tweets, the president reiterated his support for strengthening background checks, arming school officials and banning bump stocks. 

{mosads}The president also said he supports raising the age for purchasing rifles to 21, but said there is not enough political support to make the idea law.

“Very strong improvement and strengthening of background checks will be fully backed by White House. Legislation moving forward. Bump Stocks will soon be out. Highly trained expert teachers will be allowed to conceal carry, subject to State Law. Armed guards OK, deterrent!” Trump tweeted.

Very strong improvement and strengthening of background checks will be fully backed by White House. Legislation moving forward. Bump Stocks will soon be out. Highly trained expert teachers will be allowed to conceal carry, subject to State Law. Armed guards OK, deterrent!…….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018

“….On 18 to 21 Age Limits, watching court cases and rulings before acting. States are making this decision. Things are moving rapidly on this, but not much political support (to put it mildly).”

….On 18 to 21 Age Limits, watching court cases and rulings before acting. States are making this decision. Things are moving rapidly on this, but not much political support (to put it mildly).

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018

The White House on Sunday announced it would establish a federal commission led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to determine how best to address gun violence in schools.

Trump is not proposing legislation of his own, but will back existing bills aimed at enforcing the background check system and encouraging students and teachers to report suspicious behavior.

The president has said he supports enhancing the existing background check system and raising the age of purchase for all guns from 18 to 21 years old.

However, the measures the White House introduced on Sunday did not address those two issues.

The National Rifle Association, which contributed heavily to Trump’s 2016 campaign, opposes raising the age of purchase for guns and measures that would add new layers to the background checks system.

In the near term, the White House will focus on training and arming some school officials — a highly controversial idea.

The Department of Justice will match schools with state and local law enforcement officials to provide “rigorous firearm training to qualified personnel.” That program will be voluntary.

The administration is also looking to support the transition of law enforcement officials into education careers and is calling on states to enforce new measures that would allow them to take firearms away from individuals they deem potential threats.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is reviewing whether it can use the regulatory process to ban bump stocks, a supplement that allows certain semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly.