Trump slams gun-free zones at schools in CPAC speech

by Ben Kamisar - 02/23/18 9:51 AM ET

President Trump is expected to slam “gun-free zones” at schools during a speech Friday before the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).

According to excerpts of Trump’s speech released by the White House shortly before the president took the stage, Trump will call for “common-sense measures” aimed at reducing gun crimes. Part of that plan includes arming school officials — a strategy he’s warmed up to following last week’s deadly shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 dead and 14 others injured.

“When we declare our schools to be gun-free zones it just puts our students in more danger — well-trained, gun-adept teachers and coaches should be able to carry concealed firearms,” Trump will tell the crowd at CPAC, held just outside of Washington, D.C. {mosads}

“We should do what works. This includes common-sense measures that will protect the rights of law-abiding Americans while helping to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves and to others.”

Trump has sought to walk a fine line on gun control in the days since last week’s shooting thrust the issue of gun violence into the public consciousness once again.

The president held listening sessions earlier this week with members of the Florida community, as well as others whose lives have been touched by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Since the shooting, Trump has called for a ban on bump stocks, an attachment to a rifle that increases the firing rate — an accessory used in last year’s shooting at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas. And he’s called for raising the minimum age required to purchase a long gun. Both of those changes are opposed by the National Rifle Association (NRA).

He’s also bolstered his call to increase the number of armed staff in schools, something the NRA does support. And he’s defended the gun rights group on Twitter amid mounting criticism of the NRA from activists.

Tags Donald Trump Donald Trump Florida shooting gun-free zones National Rifle Association