Donald Trump shocks Republican weapons fans as he BACKS new gun control measures

Donald Trump has shocked Republican weapons fans by appearing to back a series of gun control measures that puts the president at odds with the National Rifle Association.

The US leader voiced his approval of new measures in an extraordinary White House meeting as pressure mounted to address gun violence in the aftermath of the Florida high school shooting.

During the hour-long meeting on Wednesday, Mr Trump called for a Bill that would expand background checks on gun purchases and restrict young people from buying certain types of weapons.

It comes after the president last week blamed the internet, video games and violent films for motivating children to become mass murderers saying they are “shaping young people’s thoughts”.

During yesterday’s address to congressional Republicans and Democrats, Mr Trump also called for guns to be removed from the hands of the mentally ill and for extra security on school campuses.

Conservatives and some Republicans turned on the president, who was elected with a significant amount of support from the gun lobby, for his suggestions in the wake of the Valentine’s Day school shooting that left 17 people dead.

Republican senator Ben Sasse, who was not at the meeting, slammed Mr Trump for often shifting positions on Bills on a whim. He said: "We have the Second Amendment and due process of law for a reason. We're not ditching any Constitutional protections simply because the last person the president talked to today doesn’t like them.”

“You have to be very, very powerful on background checks. Don’t be shy,” Trump said during the televised session. He added: “I’d rather have you come down on the strong side than the weak side. The weak side is easier to do.”

Mr Trump also lashed out at Republican Pat Toomey, saying he had not included provisions to raise the age of buy assault weapons from 18 to 21 in a proposed background check bill because he is “afraid of the NRA”.

Addressing the House, he went on: “Some of you people are petrified of the NRA. You can’t be petrified.”

The US leader also alarmed staunch supporters of the second amendment by suggesting law enforcement should in some cases be allowed to “take the guns early,” even before seeking approval from a court.

“Take the guns [from suspects] first, go through due process second,” he said.

Florida Shooting Vigil - In pictures

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