Parkland survivor: Trump ‘owned’ by NRA just like other politicians

The following article by Jacqueline Thomsen was posted on the Hill website March 11, 2018:

Credit: CNN Screen Grab

President Trump after the White House unveiled new gun proposals on Sunday, saying that Trump walking back his calls for certain gun measures shows that “he’s owned” by the National Rifle Association (NRA), just like other politicians.

“Because of the NRA lobbying on Trump, I’m glad to see that he did take action, and he did seem to take steps in the right direction,” Hogg said Sunday on CNN.

“But then once he met with the NRA, he showed that he’s no better than all the other politicians because he’s owned by them too. And it just shows the inaction because of this lobbying organization that’s continued to terrorize our children and hurt our futures,” Hogg continued.

Hogg appeared on CNN shortly after the White House unveiled proposals to enhance security in schools, including urging states to help arm teachers. The proposals did not call for raising the age limit on certain gun purchases as was originally reported, however. They also did not include universal background checks, which many gun control advocates, including Hogg, have called for.

Hogg, one of several survivors of the school shooting last month who has led the push for tougher legislation regarding guns, also ripped Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. The White House on Sunday said it would create a commission led by her, in order to identify ways to keep schools safe from instances of gun violence.

“I think it’s a good step to make sure that we’re taking action, but I also think it’s important to realize that Betsy DeVos basically paid for her position. She doesn’t really have any experience in this area, she paid over $200 million to just to get this title and I think she’s not the right person for this,” he said.

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