Presidential Election

White House Says Trump Is Open To Improving Gun Background Checks

The statement from the White House press secretary comes after a Florida school shooting earlier this month.

White House Says Trump Is Open To Improving Gun Background Checks
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The White House says President Donald Trump is open to improving the federal background check system for gun purchases.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Monday that Trump recently spoke with Sen. John Cornyn about a bipartisan bill he introduced. That legislation aimed to make the National Instant Criminal Background Check System more effective.

The Fix NICS Act would offer financial incentives to states and federal agencies that upload information to the federal system about people who are supposed to be banned from buying a gun.

It was introduced last November after a shooting at a Texas church. The suspect in the shooting was able to buy a gun because the U.S. Air Force didn't report his past general court-martial for domestic violence.

The press secretary said, "While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system."

After the Florida school shooting in February, some lawmakers, students and teachers have all urged Trump and Congress to pass gun control legislation.