Dec 31, 2019
Trump praises Texas parishioners who fatally shot gunman and state gun laws
President Trump tweeted his praise Monday for the parishioners who returned fire on a gunman on a gunman who entered their church in Fort Worth, Texas, and the state's gun laws.
"Our prayers are with the families of the victims and the congregation of yesterday’s church attack. It was over in 6 seconds thanks to the brave parishioners who acted to protect 242 fellow worshippers. Lives were saved by these heroes, and Texas laws allowing them to carry arms!"
Driving the news: Two people died after the gunman entered the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth, during Sunday service. Parishioners fatally shot him.
Background: In September, Texas introduced a slate of new laws intended to loosen gun restrictions.
The big picture: Trump indicated a motivation to pass meaningful and aggressive gun control legislation in the aftermath of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton last August.
- By the end of the month, Trump said after a phone conversation with National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre that the U.S. already has "very, very strong background" background checks for guns and emphasized mental health issues when asked to clarify his stance on gun control.
"We are very strong on our Second Amendment. ... You know they call it the slippery slope, and all of a sudden everything gets taken away. We’re not going to let that happen."— Trump's remarks in August
Go deeper: Global gun violence targets worshippers of all faiths