Trump Changes Tune on Guns (Again)

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by: Colorado Pols

Photo via Associated Press

President Trump today delivered a speech to the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in Dallas. You probably won’t be shocked to learn that he is changing his post-Parkland tune regarding potential restrictions on firearms.

In his speech, Trump endorsed a top NRA priority to allow trained teachers to carry concealed weapons in schools and to install more armed security guards. Signs declaring a school as a gun-free zone, Trump said, were essentially invitations to attackers to “come in and take us,” he argued…

..He added: “Your second amendment rights are under siege but they will never ever be under siege as long as I’m your president,” Trump told NRA members, whom he referred to as patriots…[Pols emphasis]

…Friday’s speech was his first appearance before NRA members since the mass shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school on Feb. 14, which created a new wave of momentum for the gun-control movement nationwide led by the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School themselves.

The massacre also moved Trump to flirt with stricter gun measures in defiance of NRA priorities, such as raising the legal age to purchase AR-15s and similar types of rifles to 21 and expanding background checks to guns sold at shows and online. In a meeting with lawmakers, Trump even mocked Republican lawmakers over the power of the gun lobby, telling one GOP senator he was “afraid of the NRA.”

As CBS News notes, Trump also took the opportunity to thank hip hop artist Kanye West for…well, just read for yourself:

The president bounced from topic to topic, addressing everything from the importance of arming teachers, to thanking music artist Kanye West for helping double his approval ratings among African-Americans. West has expressed his support for Mr. Trump in recent days, even sporting a “Make America Great Again” hat.

“Kanye West must have some power, because you probably saw, I doubled my African-American poll numbers. We went from 11 to 22 in one week, thank you, Kanye,” the president said. “When I saw the numbers I said that must be a mistake, how did that happen?”

We have nothing more to add here.

8 thoughts on “Trump Changes Tune on Guns (Again)”

Diogenesdemar says:

May 4, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Same sad, little, insecure, needy, unprincipled, orange egoist . . .

. . . hoping to find some personal validation from whomever he’s in front of.

There’s just no there, there. Ever.

Same tune as always . . .

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JohnInDenver says:

May 4, 2018 at 3:23 pm

So, if Trump starts hanging out with Kanye and starts to relish the approval of "his Blacks," how's that going to fly with the original fan boys of the alt-right?

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JohnInDenver says:

May 4, 2018 at 6:55 pm

Meanwhile, here in Colorado, the House voted for some limits on guns for threatening …. https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/04/colorado-red-flag-bill-passes-house/

Heard an interview with Rep. Wist as I was driving home. He pointed out Indiana (yes, that Red State Indiana) has had this law for 12 years, and it actually has been used and succeeded 40 times.

But I'm hoping there will be continued mention of George Brauchler supporting this. It is sure to antagonize a few Republican voters, and that will help in the AG race.

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mamajama55 says:

May 4, 2018 at 10:47 pm

So this bill probably will get stuck in the Senate in the "kill committee" (State, veterans, and military affairs), at least until Democrats take control of the Senate next election. Republicans, please do continue your obstructionist ways.

Question: Can old bills be resurrected from the kill committee? If so, is there a time limit? Or do they have to be restarted each year?

As someone who has been threatened by a well-armed mentally ill person, I have some interest in this bill.

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1. Pseudonymous says:
  
  May 5, 2018 at 6:29 am
  
  No bill outlives the session. But, they’re easily started up again.
  
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Davie says:

May 5, 2018 at 9:45 am

Same old, same old from Donald "Lyin' Lips" Trump. You can always tell when he's lying — his lips move.

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spaceman65 says:

May 5, 2018 at 2:57 pm

Let’s analyze this: “Your second amendment rights are under siege but they will never ever be under siege as long as I’m your president.” So 2nd A rights are under siege now, but will never be while trump is president, which is also now. Seems appropriately irrational for the audience he was speaking to.

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MADCO says:

May 5, 2018 at 4:11 pm

I would have attended, except it was a gun free zne and I don't go where I can't carry.

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