Donald Trump: Those below 21 should not be given assault rifles

Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with state and local officials on school safety in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. Pic/AFP

The nation should keep assault rifles out of the hands of anyone under 21, President Donald Trump says, defying his loyal supporters in the National Rifle Association amid America's public reckoning over gun violence.

He also pushed hard for arming security guards and teachers in US schools. "There's nothing more important than protecting our children," Trump said, adding that he'd spoken with members of Congress and NRA officials and said they would go along with his plans.

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