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Trump says some in Congress are petrified by NRA but 'they have less power over me' Trump says some in Congress are petrified by NRA but 'they have less power over me'
(35 minutes later)
President Donald Trump has accused members of Congress of being afraid of the National Rifle Association (NRA), as he called for an increase in the minimum age for buying a rifle.President Donald Trump has accused members of Congress of being afraid of the National Rifle Association (NRA), as he called for an increase in the minimum age for buying a rifle.
“[The NRA] has great power,” Mr Trump said at a bipartisan meeting at the White House on school safety. “They have great power over you people. They have less power over me. I don't need it. What do I need? But I'll tell you, they are well-meaning ... We have to do what is right.” “[The NRA] has great power,” Mr Trump said at a bipartisan meeting with members of Congress on school safety. “They have great power over you people. They have less power over me. I don’t need it. What do I need? But I’ll tell you, they are well-meaning ... We have to do what is right.”
Mr Trump urged legislators to come up with a comprehensive gun bill - but them doing so is likely to hamper any ability to get enough support to actually pass the legislation.  Several legislators at the White House gathering have come up with legislation aimed at combatting gun violence. One such proposal, drafted by Republican Senator Pat Toomey and Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, is primarily focused on expanding background checks for gun purchases. 
Mr Trump asked Mr Toomey about a proposal to raise the age limit for purchasing assault weapons from 18 to 21, a measure the NRA does not support. 
“Now, this is not a popular thing in terms of the NRA, but I’m saying it anyway,” Mr  Trump said. “Right now, you have to wait to buy a handgun until you’re 21, but you can buy the type of weapon used in a school shooting at 18. I can say the NRA is opposed to it... These are great patriots, they love our country, but that doesn’t mean we have to agree on it.”
Mr Toomey said the age issue is not addressed in his bill with Mr Manchin. 
“You know why, because you’re afraid of the NRA,” the President responded.
Mr Trump urged legislators to come up with a comprehensive gun bill – but them doing so is likely to hamper any ability to get enough support to actually pass the legislation. 
The outer fringes of the Republican and Democratic parties are deeply divided on gun issues, causing what appears to be a continuous stalemate over gun control in Congress. The outer fringes of the Republican and Democratic parties are deeply divided on gun issues, causing what appears to be a continuous stalemate over gun control in Congress. 
In the background has been the NRA, one of the most powerful gun rights organisations, which provides significant campaign contributions to several Republicans and Mr Trump himself. In the background has been the NRA, one of the most powerful gun rights organisations, which provides significant campaign contributions to several Republicans and Mr Trump himself. 
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