Trump reverses again on gun background checks, says he backs them and never told NRA otherwise

Nicholas Wu, Michael Collins and John Fritze
Updated

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump reversed himself on firearms restrictions Wednesday, saying he supports background checks one day after saying he didn't want to go down the "slippery slope" of eroding gun owners' rights.

Trump confirmed that he discussed background checks with Wayne LaPierre, head of the National Rifle Association, but he disputed news reports that he told LaPierre that background checks were off the table.

“I have an appetite for background checks,” Trump said from the White House South Lawn as he departed for an event in Louisville, Kentucky. “We’re going to be doing background checks. ... We’re going to be filling in some of the loopholes.”

Trump said he wants to get guns out of the hands of the mentally unstable and said he considers mass shootings a public emergency.

“I want guns to be in the hands of people who are mentally stable,” he said.

Tuesday, Trump backed away from supporting stricter gun measures, saying laws were already "very strong."

"We have very strong background checks right now," he said.

Trump emphasized his staunch support for the Second Amendment.

Tuesday, Trump spoke on the phone with the NRA's LaPierre.

The Atlantic first reported the details of the phone call, followed by The Washington Post and The New York Times.

According to the outlets, Trump told LaPierre that comprehensive background checks for firearm purchases were no longer under consideration and that the White House would advocate for other measures concerning mental health or the prosecution of federal gun crimes.

More: Donald Trump backs away from supporting stricter gun background checks

The NRA confirmed that a call took place, posting a message Tuesday on Twitter from LaPierre that he spoke to the president.

"We discussed the best ways to prevent these types of tragedies. @realDonaldTrump is a strong #2A President and supports our Right to Keep and Bear Arms," LaPierre wrote through the official NRA account.

The NRA has vehemently opposed the imposition of stricter background checks for firearm purchases, but strife at the organization gave gun control advocates hope that stricter measures could be passed.

NRA controversy: The NRA is embroiled in controversy. Can it recover in time to flex muscle in 2020?

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump spoke with the NRA's Wayne LaPierre on gun background checks