NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch issued her initial reaction to President Donald Trump’s signal that he is open to some gun control measures Tuesday on Fox and Friends.
Trump appeared to be open to a range of gun control options in a bipartisan meeting of lawmakers including universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, raising the minimum purchasing age for a firearm to 21, and other strictures.
Loesch was largely measured in her criticism calling the televised meeting a “fascinating discussion” but pushed back saying “it doesn’t make for great policy for keeping our kids safe. Look, there is a way that you can respect and protect due process and protect the rights of millions of Americans while also hardening our schools and keeping kids safe,” adding “one of the things that NRA leadership stressed to the president on Sunday is that due process must be respected. Harden schools, respect kids. Due process must be respected.”
Trump enraged some conservatives with his comment that he is a proponent of “take the guns first, go through due process second.”
Loesch also reiterated the NRA’s opposition to raising the minimum purchasing age for a firearm to 21. “When we talk about age restriction, increasing ages, you’re not punishing a gang banger in Chicago. Not punishing those individuals adjudicated unfit and dangerous to themselves and states are not submitted records to NCIC. You’re punishing people like I was 20 years old, living on my own. You’re punishing the 19-year-old deer hunter, looking forward to deer season. Those are people you’re punishing.”
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