Schumer: Trump only one standing in the way of gun action

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused President Trump on Saturday of “standing in the way” of meaningful action to enhance gun control, and called on him to support “at minimum” strengthening background checks.

Schumer’s comments came as students and gun control advocates gathered in cities across the country for the “March for Our Lives,” which sought to draw attention to gun violence in the U.S.

“The only thing standing in the way of achieving their goals is the president, whose White House today praised the students as courageous,” Schumer said in a statement.

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“What the students want is for the president to show courage, not once again in empty words, but in real action, by at minimum supporting universal background checks.”

Schumer said that he had marched for two hours on Saturday with protesters in New York, adding that he had been “inspired by their enthusiasm, steadfastness and focus on electing representatives who support their goals.”

The “March for Our Lives” was organized in response to a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last month. That attack, which left 17 people dead and 14 others injured, prompted a renewed debate over gun control.

Trump appeared willing to back a comprehensive plan to strengthen firearms restrictions shortly after the shooting, but has since reversed on that position.