WATCH: Trump touts relationship with NRA in the midst of gun policy debate

President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has "a great relationship with the NRA" and "a lot of respect for the people at the NRA." He spoke to reporters while departing from the White House for a campaign event in New York, days after two gunmen in separate incidents killed dozens in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The two mass shootings have sparked new public calls for gun reform at the federal level. "A gun doesn’t pull the trigger, a sick mind pulls the trigger," the president added, echoing his claim that mental illness is the reason behind the recent mass shootings in the U.S. “We don’t want insane people” getting guns, he said. Trump also addressed immigration policy and trade with China.

Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app:
Find more from PBS NewsHour at
Subscribe to our YouTube channel:

Follow us:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Snapchat: @pbsnews

Subscribe:
PBS NewsHour podcasts:
Newsletters:

donald trump,nra,national rifle association,president,president trump,president donald trump,shootings,gun safety,mass shotings,white house,lawn,departure,full statement,reporters,remarks,gun debate,trigger,kim jong un,norht korea,immigration,china,trade war,mental health,background checks,support,congress,gun reform,federal,legislation,