New York Post

Don slaughter solution: More guns in prayer halls

- Laura Italiano

President Trump decried Saturday’s shooting inside a Pittsburgh synagogue, calling the gunman “a madman, a wacko” and “a maniac” — but pushing back hard against any idea that the country needs more gun control.

Instead, Trump, en route to a heartland campaign-rally swing, blamed a “violent world.”

He also voiced support for guns inside houses of worship and called for “the ultimate price” for the shooter.

“I think one thing we should do is stiffen our laws and bring back the death penalty,” he said, as he prepared to board Air Force One.

“Anyone who does a thing like this to innocent people . . . they should really, really suffer the ultimate price.”

Eleven worshipers were killed inside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh Saturday morning after a gunman burst into Sabbath services. He was identified by officials as Robert Bowers, 46.

Had there been armed guards inside the Pittsburgh temple, “They might have been able to stop him immediatel­y,” Trump told reporters.

He added, “It’s a shame that we even have to think about that, inside a temple or inside of a church.”

Pressed by a reporter on the issue of arming places of worship, he said:

“It’s certainly an option. You have a maniac walk in. That is just so sad to see. The results could have been much better.”

Late Saturday, Trump, who said he would visit Pittsburgh, ordered that flags be flown at halfstaff at federal buildings in “solemn respect” for the victims.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States