By — Erica R. Hendry Erica R. Hendry Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-many-things-we-can-do-to-address-violence-but-trump-will-protect-gun-rights-leavitt-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Many ‘things we can do’ to address violence, but Trump will protect gun rights, Leavitt says Politics Oct 3, 2025 3:28 PM EDT Though the White House is considering how to address gun violence across the country, President Donald Trump has “made it clear he’s always going to protect the constitutional right” of Americans to own guns, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Pointing to recent mass shootings in Michigan and Minnesota, as well as the political assassinations of a Minnesota lawmaker and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, PBS News White House correspondent Liz Landers asked Leavitt about whether the president or the White House had reconsidered gun safety measures. WATCH: FDA and HHS not endorsing generic abortion pill they just approved, White House says “Of course this is an extremely pressing issue for the administration in our entire country. It’s deeply alarming to everyone here,” Leavitt said. “There are many discussions about how to prevent such violence,” she said, including more resources for law enforcement to both respond and prevent these incidents. When Landers asked whether he would advocate for Congress to pass a federal red flag law, Leavitt said: “I don’t want to get ahead of the president on any congressional action or any suggestion to Congress on that matter.” A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Erica R. Hendry Erica R. Hendry Erica R. Hendry is the managing editor for digital at PBS NewsHour. @ericarhendry
Though the White House is considering how to address gun violence across the country, President Donald Trump has “made it clear he’s always going to protect the constitutional right” of Americans to own guns, press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday. Watch the clip in the video player above. Pointing to recent mass shootings in Michigan and Minnesota, as well as the political assassinations of a Minnesota lawmaker and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, PBS News White House correspondent Liz Landers asked Leavitt about whether the president or the White House had reconsidered gun safety measures. WATCH: FDA and HHS not endorsing generic abortion pill they just approved, White House says “Of course this is an extremely pressing issue for the administration in our entire country. It’s deeply alarming to everyone here,” Leavitt said. “There are many discussions about how to prevent such violence,” she said, including more resources for law enforcement to both respond and prevent these incidents. When Landers asked whether he would advocate for Congress to pass a federal red flag law, Leavitt said: “I don’t want to get ahead of the president on any congressional action or any suggestion to Congress on that matter.” A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now