Trump says lawmakers are "petrified of the NRA"
In an hour-long meeting with Democrats and Republicans filled with newsworthy comments on gun control Wednesday, President Trump parted ways with members of his own party and accused them more than once of being "petrified" of the National Rifle Association.
"They have great power over you people," the president said to his fellow Republicans. "They have less power over me."
"Some of you are petrified of the NRA," he added. "You can't be petrified."
The White House chose to air the entire meeting between the president and more than a dozen lawmakers of both parties and chambers, an incredibly rare occasion for the public to watch the president's negotiation style and positions unfold. The president called the meeting in response to the high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 students dead two weeks ago.
The president reiterated some of the positions he has previously held, like arming teachers, improving background checks and restricting access to weapons for the mentally ill. But the president also interjected surprising remarks, sometimes aligning himself more with Democrats than Republicans.
The president -- who told his supporters Hillary Clinton wanted to take their guns away on the campaign trail -- suggested taking guns "early" from those who are mentally disturbed, and pursuing "due process" in court later, rattling some Republicans.
"I like taking the guns early," the president said. "... Take the guns first, go through due process second."
He flat-out declined to consider adding a provision for concealed carry reciprocity among states, something Republicans have hoped to include in major gun legislation.
"If you add concealed carry (reciprocity) to this, you'll never get it passed," the president said. "... We want to get something done."
But Mr. Trump also repeatedly emphasized he wants to see just one bill, if possible, seeming not to take seriously suggestions that including multiple proposals in one bill could lower its chance of passage.
The White House's list of expected attendees includes Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas; Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana; Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia; Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida; Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania; Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee; Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Florida; Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Connecticut; Rep. Brian Mast, R-Florida; Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Florida; Rep. John Rutherford, D-Florida and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana. Florida's Democratic senator, Sen. Bill Nelson, was not in attendance.
Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School returned to campus for the first time Wednesday. Last week, Mr. Trump held a listening session with some of those students, and other students and families affected by school shootings. He has also met with governors on the topic.
Follow below for live updates from earlier.
Trump says sometimes you should take the guns "early," have "due process" later
Mr. Trump suggested taking the guns "early" from people who display serious signs of mental illness, and then "due process" in court can come later.
"I like taking the guns early," the president said. "... Take the guns first, go through due process second."
Trump says some lawmakers are "petrified of the NRA"
President Trump reiterated that some in the room are afraid of the NRA, in even stronger terms this time.
"They have great power over you people," the president said. "They have less power over me."
Mr. Trump added that some lawmakers are "petrified of the NRA. You can't be petrified ..."
Trump speaks out against video games, Internet content
Mr. Trump suggested some kind of ratings system for media content, in terms of how it terrorizes children.
"The video games, the movies, the Internet stuff, it's so violent," the president said, mentioning his son, Barron Trump. "I look at some of the things he's watching and I say, how is that possible?"
Trump warns against attaching concealed carry reciprocity to another bill
Republicans had hoped to add a provision for concealed carry reciprocity among states to a bill to improve the federal background checks system.
But Mr. Trump shot that idea down.
"If you add concealed carry (reciprocity) to this, you'll never get it passed," Trump said. "... We want to get something done."
Trump says states should have flexibility
President Trump said states can have some flexibility when it comes to some measures, such as whether they want to arm teachers.
But the data, Mr. Trump said, such as background checks, needs to be the same.
Trump says Republicans are "afraid of the NRA"
When Mr. Trump received a silent response from Republicans as he suggested raising the age for purchasing some firearms to 21, he said they aren't taking the idea seriously because they're "afraid of the NRA."
Trump suggests need to "take the guns away immediately" from mentally ill
President Trump said he wants to focus on those with mental health problems.
"We need to do something about the mentally ill not being able to buy a gun," Trump said, adding that maybe there might need to be a provision to "take the guns away immediately" if necessary.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, offered a "caution on mental health."
"I think we'e got to concentrate not just on those who have mental health issues but on those who show a danger to themselves or others," Grassley said.
Chris Murphy says "we will get 60 votes" on background checks bill
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, said they have a "unique opportunity" to get universal background checks.
Murphy said the Senate "will get 60 votes" on a simple background check bill.
Background checks do have near universal support among the American public.
The president seemed to agree with Murphy.
Trump says he wants just one bill
The president said he would prefer to see just one bill, rather than a number of different bills, as Cornyn spoke. Cornyn is backing legislation to improve the existing background check database.
"If we can get 60 votes for it Mr. President, I'm all for it," Cornyn said.
Trump says he's dealing with bump stocks by executive order
Interrupting comments from Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the president said he would be dealing with bump stocks by executive order.
"We've got to stop this nonsense, it's time," Trump says
"I'm the biggest fan of the Second Amendment, many of you are," the president told those seated around the table.
Mr. Trump mentioned that he met with National Rifle Association (NRA) leaders over the weekend.
"We've got to stop this nonsense, it's time," he said.
Trump criticizes gun-free zones
President Trump said gun-free zones are harming the country, claiming 98 percent of mass shootings in the U.S. have occurred in gun-free zones since 1950.
"You've gotta have defense, too," he said.
The president said other reforms needed include improving mental health and strengthening background checks.