President Donald Trump hints about changing gun laws

President Donald Trump has hinted that he might be moving to improve background checks for firearm purchases.

Although the president’s statement following the Florida school shooting steered towards mental health issues rather than gun control, it appears he is bowing to public pressure to amend legislation.

The POTUS told Republican Senator John Cornyn that he is considering changes to federal background checks currently in place for gun purchases.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said: ‘The President spoke to Senator Cornyn on Friday about the bipartisan bill he and Sen. Murphy introduced to improve Federal Compliance with Criminal Background check Legislation.

‘While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.’

Trump’s change in direction comes less than a week after the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Both teachers and pupils were among the 17 innocents killed in the mass shooting, which has reignited the heated debate on US gun laws.

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The White House statement did not mention the suspected gunman Nikolas Cruz, who police claim they received more than 20 calls of concern about his conduct in the years leading up to the school shooting.

Cruz, 19, was an orphan with a history of concerning behaviour. Students at the school claim he was abusive towards an ex girlfriend and his foster parents, James and Kimberly Snead, knew all about his vast arsenal of weapons.

‘We had this monster living under our roof and we didn’t know,’ Kimberly said. ‘We didn’t see this side of him.’

Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.