NRA Criticizes Trump's Support of Background Checks
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We ran the numbers: There are 554 news articles covering this topic. 4% (22) are left leaning, 64% (353) center, 32% (179) right leaning.
In the aftermath of two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio this week, President Trump voiced support for expanding background checks required to purchase firearms. On Thursday, news outlets reported that Trump is facing pressure from Wayne LaPierre, the head of the National Rifle Association, as a result of his comments. In a series of conversations since the shootings, LaPierre emphasized to Trump that Trump’s supporters in deep-red states do not support stricter background checks. On Wednesday, Trump said that he is still “looking to do background checks.”
A left-leaning CNN article about the conversations between Trump and LaPierre describes the increased calls for gun control in the aftermath of the shootings, as well as the president’s previously voiced support for stricter gun regulations. It notes. “Democrats have called for the President and Republican leaders to act on legislation in the wake of the two shootings, which left more than 30 dead. A source familiar with internal discussions told CNN that Trump is looking at ways to tighten up background checks through some sort of executive action, but the source cautioned it's too early in the process to get into any more detail.”
A right-leaning article from the New York Post focuses primarily on whether it would even be possible to pass background check legislation considering the unwillingness of many Republican legislators to work with Democrats on gun control. Democratic Senators Patrick J. Toomey and Joe Manchin III have proposed background check legislation, but are concerned that it will not pass. “Manchin said he told the president that he would need to endorse any gun control legislation or it would fail again — comments that were mirrored by multiple Republicans and White House aides,” the Post wrote.
Centrist coverage by The Hill focuses on comments by Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono in which she expressed doubt that Trump would stand up to the NRA in the fight for background checks. "When the president starts talking about, he's going to take on the NRA, he'll stand up to them, oh that's just such B.S.," she said. Hirono also criticized Trump for his extensive talks with the NRA.
From the center
Democratic senator on possibility of Trump standing up to the NRA: 'That's just such BS'
The Hill