Serious talks on gun control underway: Trump

August 10, 2019 00:04

US President Donald Trump says "serious discussions" are taking place between congressional leaders on "meaningful" background checks for gun owners following two mass shootings.

On Twitter, Trump also said he had spoken to the gun lobby group National Rifle Association so their views can be "represented and respected".

The NRA opposes extensive checks.

Democrats want the Senate to be recalled from recess to enact immediate legislation on gun control.

Trump -- who did not specify which steps he would support -- weighed in after days of disagreement on how the US should respond to its latest mass shootings.

As he prepared to leave the White House on a trip to New York, he said: "Frankly, we need intelligent background checks. This isn't a question of NRA, Republican, or Democrat."

But he singled out mental health issues, saying: "We don't want people who are mentally ill, people who are sick -- we don't want them having guns."

There have been more than 250 mass shootings in the US this year. Last weekend, mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, left more than 30 people dead.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

'The boys in Indian team comfortable around Rohit'

Shikhar Dhawan believes the Indian players enjoy their game under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.

HC restrains misuse of actor Jackie Shroff's name, voice without consent

The court said Shroff is a celebrity and this status inherently grants him certain rights over his personality and associated attributes.

F1: Verstappen equals Senna's pole record!

Red Bull's Max Verstappen equalled Ayrton Senna's record of eight pole positions in a row.

Sharjah Masters Chess: Chithamabaram stays in joint lead

Aravindh Chithamabaram took his tally to 3.5 points out of a possible four.

Singham Again Shooting Begins In Kashmir

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Jackie Shroff began shooting for Rohit Shetty's Singham Again in Srinagar.