White House softens tone on gun control

WASHINGTON — The White House appeared to soften its tone on gun-control measures Friday after President Donald Trump met privately with officials from the National Rifle Association the night before.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the White House is still deliberating on what type of proposals it will support in the wake of the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, in which 17 people were killed. She said Trump still supports raising the age limit to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21 but added that he understands there is “not a lot of broad support” for such a proposal.

“I think he thinks it would probably have more potential in the states than it would at the federal level,” Sanders told reporters at the White House. On background checks, she said, Trump does not necessarily support universal checks “but certainly improving the background-check system. He wants to see what that legislation, the final piece of it looks like. ‘Universal’ means something different to a lot of people.”

Trump tweeted Thursday evening about the meeting, which was not listed on his public schedule.

Friday capped a week of conflicting signals from Trump and the White House on what the president wants to do in response to the shootings in Florida, which has led to confusion over what policies he wants Congress to advance. Trump shocked lawmakers from both parties Wednesday during an hour-long televised meeting at the White House in which he voiced support for far stricter gun-control measures than most Republicans appear willing to support. Trump also has said he wants to arm some teachers and school staff with weapons.