Trump gun plan for arming teachers, not changing age limits

The White House is forging ahead with a plan to give firearms training to teachers while pulling back from moves opposed by gun lobbyists such as raising the age limit for purchasing some weapons.

US President Donald Trump is also calling on states to adopt so-called “red flag” laws to allow authorities to take guns from individuals who are determined by a court to be a threat to themselves or others, according to recommendations released by the White House on Sunday. The package of measures is aimed at making schools safer after a string of deadly shootings, it said.

The measures endorsed by Trump fall short of those that were expected, including a call for states to raise the minimum age to buy certain guns. The idea, backed at times by Trump but opposed by the National Rifle Association, was endorsed as recently as Sunday morning by White House deputy press secretary Raj Shah.

“The president has been clear that he does support raising the age to 21 for certain firearms,” Shah told ABC’s “This Week.” On a conference call with reporters, two administration officials didn’t explain why that proposal was excluded.

The Department of Justice has been asked to create programs helping schools to partner with state and local law enforcement authorities that can provide training in gun use by those who volunteer to do so. The White House also said it would support moving military veterans and retired law enforcement officers into new careers in education.

The administration will also launch a commission, led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, to examine school safety issues. DeVos said her commission would study a “culture of violence.” BLOOMBERG

WASHINGTON: