In the nearly two weeks since the deadly mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, students have taken a stand and called for increased gun control laws. As Donald Trump tries to find a safe political position on the issue, former President Barack Obama has made it clear where he stands.
Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018
Trump and the NRA
On Valentine's Day last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, former student 19-year-old Nikolas Jacob Cruz walked into the school and opened fire.
Over the course of the next 20 minutes, Cruz had killed 17 people, while injuring many others. The incident quickly dominated the headlines, while renewing the debate over gun violence and gun control. Since then, students from Parkland, and around the country, have taken part in protests and rallies demanding lawmakers take action. On Wednesday, the White House held a "listening session" with students and teachers, while CNN hosted a town-hall event on the topic.
What many people don’t understand, or don’t want to understand, is that Wayne, Chris and the folks who work so hard at the @NRA are Great People and Great American Patriots. They love our Country and will do the right thing. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018
In response to the latest headlines, Donald Trump and Barack Obama had a different take on the issue.
"I never said 'give teachers guns' like was stated on Fake News," Trump tweeted out, explaining that his position to arm teachers to prevent mass shootings was taken out of context by the media.
I never said “give teachers guns” like was stated on Fake News @CNN & @NBC. What I said was to look at the possibility of giving “concealed guns to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience - only the best. 20% of teachers, a lot, would now be able to
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018
"A 'gun free' school is a magnet for bad people.
ATTACKS WOULD END!" Trump went on to add. After posting several tweets, the president went on to praise the controversial NRA, writing, " Wayne, Chris and the folks who work so hard at the NRA are Great People and Great American Patriots. They love our Country and will do the right thing."
....immediately fire back if a savage sicko came to a school with bad intentions. Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards that do this. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A “gun free” school is a magnet for bad people. ATTACKS WOULD END!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018
Obama's response
In contrast to Donald Trump's early morning tweetstorm, Barack Obama was clear in support for the children speaking up against gun violence and for gun reform.
"Young people have helped lead all our great movements," Obama wrote.
"How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be," Barack Obama went on to tweet, before adding, "We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs."
Polar opposites
The reactions Donald Trump and Barack Obama draw a clear line in the change of thinking in the White House from one administration to the next. During the eight years that Obama was in office, he was vocal in his support for changing the nation's gun laws, most notably his call to action following the deadly mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary.
For the new president, Trump has often gloated about being in good standing with the NRA, even receiving their endorsement during the 2016 election. While Trump has come out to oppose bump stocks and increasing the age to buy certain guns, the NRA seems to have the full backing of the current commander in chief, much to the chagrin of the students at Parkland and across the country.
