Can Trump get universal background checks?

There is a window of opportunity to pass commonsense reform

Anyone who favors more sensible and protective regulation of gun markets got a bit of encouragement last Friday from President Donald Trump. Standing on the White House lawn, he told reporters he was in favor of “intelligent background checks,” because “we don’t want guns in the hands of the wrong people.” He added that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is “totally on board.”

We hope the president is familiar with the unnecessary and unsafe flaws in the current system and that he’s committed to closing them. If he is, there is a good chance of meaningful reform. If not? Then nothing will change.

The mass shootings in El Paso,

Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, have spurred public support for new restrictions aimed at curbing lethal violence in this country. Illinois Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who boasts a 93% rating from the National Rifle Association, says he now favors universal background checks — as well as an increase in the minimum age for purchasing any gun to 21 ( as it is for handguns) and a federal “red flag” provision allowing courts to temporarily confiscate firearms from dangerous people.

Anyone buying a gun from a federally licensed firearm dealer has to undergo a background check. But under federal law, private sales made by people who are not licensed dealers, including some who do business at gun shows, don’t require this safeguard. So a convicted felon who would be unable to buy from a dealer may be able to get one from a private seller with no trouble. It’s the equivalent of locking your doors to prevent burglaries — but leaving a groundfloor window open.

In 2013, the Senate rejected a measure expanding the background check to all gun sales. This year, with Democrats in charge, the House passed a similar measure, which the Senate has not taken up. Until now, the chance it would get to the president’s desk appeared to be zero. But if Mr. Trump demanded Senate action — and particularly if he brought Mr. McConnell “on board” — he might persuade enough Republican senators to get it passed.

No one should bet Mr. Trump will undertake the effort. His comments last Friday were vague, so it’s uncertain what he has in mind. He’s mercurial. What he says one day he’s likely to contradict the next. Mr. Trump has a history of backing off when faced with opposition from the NRA. After the 2018 Parkland massacre, he promised, “We’re going to be doing very strong background checks,” but he soon dropped the idea.

But Mr. Trump likes to show that he can do what previous presidents couldn’t, and this would be a historic achievement. It would also involve minimal political risk, because the NRA is not about to endorse a Democrat for president in 2020. And an August Politico/ Morning Consult poll found that 90 percent of support universal background checks.

Mr. Trump has the influence to overcome resistance to this reasonable, overdue change. We hope he decides to use it.