Trump Calls for Arming Teachers and Raising Legal Age for Gun Purchases

On Thursday, Donald Trump defended his stance on arming some teachers to combat school shootings and proposed measures for gun control, including raising the legal age for purchasing firearms to 21. According to Fox News, Trump launched a fierce attack on the media regarding their coverage of his comments on arming teachers, which he made on Wednesday. He stated that his previous remarks were distorted but clearly expressed his support for arming trained teachers to carry concealed weapons. In one of his tweets, he wrote: "Contrary to what the fake news CNN and NBC reported, I never said to give teachers guns. What I said was to consider the possibility of arming a number of teachers who have received military and special training to carry concealed weapons." In another message, he said: "In such a case, 20 percent of teachers, which is significant, would be able to shoot back at a wild lunatic attacking schools. Well-trained teachers would act as a deterrent against these cowards. This is the best way to help and is less costly compared to hiring guards. A school without guns is a magnet (an attractive target) for lunatics. In this case, attacks will end." Trump posted these messages after a meeting with students, families, and teachers from Parkland High School in Florida, where 17 students and teachers were recently killed in a shooting. During this two-hour meeting, Trump encouraged attendees to share their suggestions for preventing school shootings. He welcomed a parent's suggestion for teachers to carry concealed weapons and stated that the government would seriously consider this possibility. At the same time, Trump emphasized that he would consider new laws regarding gun control, including raising the legal age for purchasing firearms. In another tweet, he expressed support for increasing background checks for gun buyers and stated that the age for purchasing firearms should be raised to 21. He added in another message on Thursday: "Records show that a school shooting typically lasts 3 minutes. However, the initial police response and arrival at the crime scene take between 5 to 8 minutes. Teachers who are well-trained with firearms will solve the problem before the police arrive. A great deterrent!" According to current federal laws, licensed gun stores cannot sell handguns to individuals under 21 and cannot sell rifles to individuals under 18. Some U.S. states have already enacted stricter regulations regarding the age of gun buyers. The National Rifle Association, which supported Trump in the 2016 election, quickly opposed any changes to raise the age for purchasing rifles to 21. The association stated: "Proposed laws to prohibit individuals aged 18 to 20 from purchasing rifles would effectively ban them from buying any weapons and thus revoke their constitutional right to self-defense." It remains unclear whether Trump will attempt to change federal laws at this stage or implement these changes at the state law level.