The White House stated that President Donald Trump has shown support for better gun background checks. All of these comes after the pressure made by the students who survived the Florida school shooting
Last week’s tragedy at the Florida School left 17 students dead. It was perpetrated by a 17-year-old boy, Nikolas Cruz, who happened to buy a gun legally. However, he has an unstable person who has even diagnosed as a developmentally delayed person. Therefore, those are the kind of things that should be taken into account to prevent people from buying a gun that might be used to cause harm to the gun owner or others.
“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system,” informed the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders on Monday.
What are the current rules to get a gun in the United States?
In theory, all licensed dealers must require personal information to all the people who intend to buy a gun. The latter must present their identification and fill a form with their criminal history and other personal information. Then, the data is submitted to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is part of the FBI, to be processed. Last year, there were 25 million applications.
However, the system is far from being perfect since it depends on the reports submitted by state and federal officials regarding criminal convictions and mental issues. Sometimes the reports are not sent, and the NICS can prevent a person from acquiring the gun.
For example, last year the US Air Forces admitted having failed to flag a gunman’s domestic violence conviction, and then that person was responsible for shooting 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
The proposals
Therefore, it is clear many guns are often in the hands of people who pose a threat to themselves and others and currently, there are no effective ways to prevent this. After the shooting in Florida, many students criticized Trump for blaming the issue on others, when it is clear that the problem is that there isn’t a strong regulatory system regarding gun ownership. As well, many demonstrators today protested demanding better gun control outside of the White House.
Donald Trump has apparently spoken with Republican Senator John Cornyn about the need to achieve a bipartisan bill that improves the background checks on potential gun buyers, including records on domestic violence. The important thing is to improve the way federal agencies report background information. As well, there is the proposal of offering financial incentives to do that.
Senator Cornyn introduced a draft on the matter after the Texas shooting, and he referred to the issue as a “nationwide, systematic problem.”
Does Trump forget his promises?
One of Obama’s biggest frustrations as a president was the issue regarding gun control. Now, it seems that Trump has to face this issue too. The thing that actions to improve gun control might be in contradiction to the promises he made as a candidate. Trump’s view on guns has changed over time. During the presidential race, he spoke against imposing any gun control. Last year, at a National Rifle Association convention, the president said he “never, ever infringe” on the constitutional right to keep and bear guns.
“I generally oppose gun control, but I support the ban on assault weapons and I also support a slightly longer waiting period to purchase a gun”, wrote Trump back in his book “The America We Deserve,” back in 2000.
Now, he is changing everything a lot suggesting that gun control must be strengthened.
“So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed, even expelled from school for bad and erratic behavior. Neighbors and classmates knew he was a big problem. Must always report such instances to authorities, again and again!” tweeted the president on February 15, the day after the shooting
Maybe his personal views on the matter remain intact; however, as a president, he is under pressure because there have been so many shootings where the killer acquired their arm by the regular means, showing the weakness of the system.
“We are telling you to take this blank slate and make something with it. We are giving you the chance to get on the right side of this.” Said one of the students who survived the tragedy.
Students of the school where the shooting took place have raised their voices asking for changes into the existing gun regulations. As well, they have organized a march on Washington next March 24. Walkouts all over the country have also been proposed by several NGOs and associations.
Nikolas Cruz appeared today in court for the second time in Fort Lauderdale. He is charged with 17 premeditated murders. He has remained imprisoned without bail.
Source: BBC