US President Donald Trump is “supportive” of efforts to improve background checks on gun ownership, the White House says.
He spoke with Republican Senator John Cornyn about a bipartisan bill that seeks to improve the checks in place before someone can buy a gun.
It comes after authorities said the suspect in last week’s Florida school shooting bought his gun legally.
Students from the school have demanded action on gun control.
“While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday.
What checks are currently in place?
Currently, federal licensed dealers must run checks on anyone trying to purchase a gun. A potential buyer presents identification and fills in a form with personal information and criminal history.
That information is then submitted to the FBI’S National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which processed more than 25 million applications last year.
