Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Media captionTrump vows ‘renewal of American spirit’
US President Donald Trump is “supportive” of efforts to improve background checks on gun ownership, the White House says.
He has spoken to Republican Senator John Cornyn about a bipartisan bill he helped introduce, a statement read.
The 2017 bill sought to improve federal compliance with checks that are processed before someone can buy a gun.
It comes after authorities said the suspect in last week’s school shooting in Florida had bought his gun legally.
“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday.
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) currently relies on state and federal officials to report any criminal convictions and mental health issues that should legally stop someone buying a gun.
Its failings were put in the spotlight last year after the US Air Force admitted it had failed to flag a gunman’s domestic violence conviction before he shot dead 26 people at a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas.
BBC