Day 406: Trump Learns Semi-Automatic Weapons Are Sold in Stores; Seems to Lean Left on Many Gun Reform Issues

In the wake of the the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School more than two weeks ago, Donald Trump hosted a bipartisan meeting Wednesday to discuss various gun-related issues and weigh in on a potential wife-reaching reform bill.

However, Trump’s ignorance on the issues quickly emerged. He was taken by surprise to learn that semi-automatic assault weapons, like the AR-15, weren’t black market weapons, but rather, something that could be bought a brick and mortar store.

But at other points, Trump seemed to have an idea for the framework of a bill and expressed pragmatism. He quickly ended discussion about an NRA and GOP-backed potential provision that would have forced concealed carry reciprocity between states if universal background checks are also included in any bill.

In the past few days Trump has also expressed support for reform favored by the left, including raising the age that someone is allowed to purchase rifles from 18 to 21, banning bump stocks and expanding background checks.

During Wednesday’s meeting he even called out politicians for being afraid of the NRA. When Trump asked Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) if the age-raise was in the current iteration of the bill and was told it was not, Trump shockingly retorted, “You know why? Because you’re afraid of the NRA.”

At one point, Trump encouraged Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) to include her assault weapons ban in the bill, drawing stunned looks from Republicans and a positively giddy reaction from Democrats.

But Trump has also embraced right-leaning proposals, including arming teachers, eliminating gun-free zones and generally having more guns in more hands. Trump also hit on popular talking points from the right, including blaming violent video games and movies, and asserting that problems largely stem from mental health issues, not guns.

After the meeting, Republican lawmakers sounded skeptical, at best, regarding many of Trump’s proposals and openly pushed back on some of them. Democrats, too, were dubious that Trump will actually continually to push for the things he brought up in the meeting.

To Trump’s credit, gun reform of some kind is something he clearly sees as important. However, a Thursday morning tweet did little to clear up exactly what Trump thinks should be in any sort of bill, which is only likely to cause more delays and confusion.

A comprehensive reform bill is going to be extraordinarily challenging. And yet, Trump’s words and actions could pressure Republicans in the House and Senate to do more than they’ve been willing to do in the last decade.

406 days in, 1056 to go

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