Where does Donald Trump stand on guns?
That question might most easily be answered with what day is it?
Two days ago he stunned member of both parties when he announced he wanted to see bump stocks banned, background checks tightened, the minimum age to buy guns raised and even suggested taking guns from people deemed dangerous saying, “Take the guns first, go through due process second.”
https://twitter.com/PaulSzoldra/status/969213891707154434
But in the Trump presidency, a new day can mean a new position, especially if you have a late night visit from the NRA, which is exactly what happened. Trump and his VP met with the NRA’s chief lobbyist last night. The New York Times reports Sarah Sanders wouldn’t give any details about “the previously unannounced meeting.” But who needs the Press Secretary when you have Twitter. Here’s what the executive director of the NRA, who met with Trump, said:
I had a great meeting tonight with @realDonaldTrump & @VP. We all want safe schools, mental health reform and to keep guns away from dangerous people. POTUS & VPOTUS support the Second Amendment, support strong due process and don’t want gun control. #NRA #MAGA
— Chris Cox (@ChrisCoxCap6) March 2, 2018
And Trump soon echoed that the meeting was “great.”
Good (Great) meeting in the Oval Office tonight with the NRA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 2, 2018
NRA execs have proven they have no problem accessing the President. This is the second time they have met with him in a week. None of this should come as a surprise. The Washington Post calls Trump, “The most pro-NRA president in recent history.” And Trump, in the past has told the NRA, “I will not let you down.” But then this morning, another flip?
Sarah Sanders this AM tells reporters Trump has NOT shifted on his stance on guns since Wed – despite NRA mtg, per @AlliemalCNN. (But it was unclear where he stood at that mtg.) Sanders also says Trump “conceptually” backs assault weapons ban but knows there isn’t much support
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 2, 2018