Trump says gun control laws would have led to 'hundreds more dead' in Texas shooting
Thomson Reuters
Trump, who praised an armed civilian that shot the gunman, rebuffed suggestions from a reporter that "extreme vetting" for prospective gun owners could help.
He said: "If you did what you're suggesting, there would have been no difference three days ago," referring to the shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
Trump then shifted to talking about Stephen Willeford, who lived near the church and came out of his home armed after hearing the shooting to confront the gunman.
"I can only say this. If [Willeford] didn't have a gun, instead of 26 dead, you would have had hundreds more dead. So that's the way I feel about it, not going to help," said Trump.
On Monday, Trump blamed the shooting on "mental health," calling the gunman a "deranged individual" and dismissing the shooting as a "guns issue."
"This is a mental health issue at the highest level and it's very very sad," said Trump. "That's the way I view it."
The US has more mass shootings than any other developed country and looser gun control laws than other nations with similar demographics.
The gunman, Devin Patrick Kelley, should not have been able to buy a gun due to a felony on his record during his time with the US air force, but the existing gun control laws in place failed to work as the Pentagon had not released Kelley's record to background checking agencies.
Kelley reportedly owned four guns purchased after his conviction for assaulting his wife and child. In the attack, Kelley killed the grandmother of his wife as he opened fire in the church.
- Poonch Terrorist Attack: One Indian Air Force soldier dies, five injured; Patrolling intensifies across J&K
- The Role of AI in Journalism
- 10 incredible Indian destinations for family summer holidays in 2024
- 7 scenic Indian villages perfect for May escapes
- Paneer snacks you can prepare in 30 minutes
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market