Trump emerges as a moderate on gun control, urging both regulation and respect for 2nd amendment

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Trump emerges as a moderate on gun control, urging both regulation and respect for 2nd amendment

donald trump

Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with members of Congress to discuss school and community safety in the wake of the Florida school shootings.

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President Donald Trump emerged as an unlikely moderate on gun control on Thursday with a tweet that both urged a bill for additional gun regulation, and for the 2nd amendment to be respected.

"Many ideas, some good & some not so good, emerged from our bipartisan meeting on school safety yesterday at the White House.

"Background Checks a big part of conversation. Gun free zones are proven targets of killers. After many years, a Bill should emerge. Respect 2nd Amendment!" Trump tweeted.

Trump's tweet referred to a bipartisan meeting on Wednesday with members of Congress, during which Trump appeared to stun Republicans with broad support for a number of gun control initiatives.

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Trump reiterated his support for raising the age limit for purchasing guns up to 21 from 18 despite strong opposition from the National Rifle Association, a powerful pro-gun lobby Trump accused Republicans of being "afraid" of.

In the same meeting, Trump spoke out against "gun-free zones," like schools or malls, and reasserted his idea that armed teachers could reduce school shootings.

Most shockingly, Trump said "I like taking guns away early. Take the guns first, go through due process second," a comment that was later blasted by senators on both sides of the aisle.