5:17
- ABC News
- Donald Trump
- August 21, 2019
Trump insists his position on guns hasn't shifted
The president's latest comments come after he spoke with the NRA chief Tuesday.
5:17
While the president said Wednesday he continues to have an \"appetite\" for background checks, he said he has narrowed his focus to improving “certain weaknesses” in the existing system.
“We can close up the gaps, do things that are very good and frankly gun owners want to have done. We have to remember the gun doesn't pull the trigger. A person does. And we have great mental illness,” the president said.
![\"PHOTO:](\"http://a.abcnews.com/images/Politics/trump-ap-jt-190821_hpMain_4x3t_384.jpg\")
The president also repeated what is a common NRA talking point in warning of a \"slippery slope\" in making changes to the nation’s gun laws.
“I'm concerned that no matter what we agreed to, when we get there, I'm concerned that Democrats will say, 'Oh, well, we now want this.' It's a slippery slope. That's what actually your gun owners and a lot of other people,” he said.
The president’s comments come one day after he had a lengthy phone call with NRA chief Wayne LaPierre. Sources familiar with the call said the president told LaPierre that universal background checks are off the table, even as he continues to explore some more limited reforms.
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