Republicans Appear to Block Raising Age Limit to 21 to Purchase Assault Weapons: Report
“No ‘path forward’ for raising age limit”
Several times President Donald Trump and his administration have voiced support for raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons to 21, but Republican lawmakers appear to be blocking the move. As recently as Tuesday afternoon White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters the president “still supports” raising the age limit.
But CNN’s Jim Acosta, who has been closely following the movement to raise the age limit, barely hours after Huckabee Sanders’ statement posted to Twitter there is no path forward for doing so, citing a Republican congressional source.
No “path forward” for raising age limit for purchasing some weapons, GOP congressional source tells us.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 27, 2018
The NRA staunchly opposes raising the age limit. President Trump over the past few days, and as recently as Monday, lauded the NRA as “on our side” and “great American patriots.”
This was Huckabee Sanders earlier Tuesday afternoon:
Press Sec. Sanders: “The president still supports raising the age limit to 21 for the purchase of certain firearms.” pic.twitter.com/S2CDkCVDjW
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 27, 2018
On Monday Acosta noted the president’s apparent change of heart:
Trump appears to be backing away from his support for 21 year age limit for assault weapons purchases, sources tell us tonight.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 27, 2018
Also Tuesday afternoon CNN’s Kaitlan Collins noted the White House inconsistency:
The White House is all over the place on whether Trump still supports raising the age limit to buy a rifle.
Shah today: “President still believes in age 21 limit…”
Gidley yesterday: It’s “very inconsistent†to allow people to vote at 18 but not buy one
Trump: “Raise age to 21”— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 27, 2018
Trump had a secret lunch with NRA chiefs on Sunday.
Texas GOPÂ Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn may be the cause if the move to raise the age limit does not survive. On Friday he announced he was opposed to any legislation that would do so.Â
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