After a meeting with the US National Rifle Association’s chief lobbyist, Donald Trump has done a supposed U-turn on his position on gun control.
Despite one day earlier saying he supported increased background checks for gun buyers, Trump has appeared to changed position after meeting with Chris Cox.
Cox tweeted on Thursday: “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.”
Shortly after, Trump tweeted: “Good (Great) meeting in the Oval Office tonight with the NRA!”
After a televised meeting with lawmakers on Wednesday, the US President suggested that he was in favour of expanding background checks for gun sales, including new laws raising from 18 to 21 the age for buying rifles.
Critics were rightly critical of Trump’s comments, unsure if he would carry them through.
“I know you heard the words. I just don’t believe in my heart of hearts that’s exactly what he meant,” said North Carolina senator, Thom Tillis.
The NRA has very close ties with the President, giving him over $30 million to back his bid for the White House.
Whilst they still have support from Trump, many US companies are ending ties with the NRA following the political storm over guns.
The NRA defended itself, writing on Twitter (NYSE: TWTR): “Instead of placing the blame on an organization that defends everyone’s #2A rights, maybe people should take a hard look at the number of failures by the FBI and local law enforcement agencies, or does that not fit your agenda?”
Other US organisations to distance themselves from the NRA include car rental firms Hertz (NYSE: HTZ) and Enterprise Holdings (NYSE: EPD).