In a speech yesterday, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton declared that presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would “mandate” guns in school classrooms from day one in office. In fact, Mr. Trump stated that he would eliminate “gun free zones” in schools in his first day in office, not “mandate” their deployment. (We’ve previously pointed out that is impossible; eliminating Bush the Elder’s Gun Free School Zones Act would require an act of Congress.) Instead of clarifying his remarks, Trump then rescinded them in a Tweet. And then spent a good part of today qualifying his denial. Like this [via huffingtonpost.com] . . .
“I don’t want to have guns in classrooms. Although, in some cases, teachers should have guns in classrooms,” Trump said during the phone interview [with Fox News]. “Things that are going on in our schools are unbelievable. You look at some of our schools, unbelievable what’s going on. But I’m not advocating guns in classrooms.”
His next words: “But remember, in some cases and a lot of people have made this case, teachers should be able to have guns. Trained teachers should be able to have guns in classrooms.”
That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.
Teachers can be armed now. School districts and, in some cases, individual schools can opt out of the GFSZA. Teachers have been armed in Utah for years, example. Texas, too. What’s more, states, cities. towns, schools and school districts can “allow” individuals, all permit holders or anyone to carry inside a school zone.
While Hillary Clinton’s purposefully twisting of her opponent’s words reveals to the depths to which she’ll sink, Donald Trump’s waffling on “guns in schools” reveals that he has no idea how the government works. Doesn’t have anyone advising him who does. Ad doesn’t care. Quite apart from the fact that Mr. Trump doesn’t seem to “hold” any position about, well, anything.
Meanwhile, the mainstream media is — rightly — nailing Mr. Trump on the “gun free zones” in hotels that he owns (e.g. Mar-Lago and Trump National in Jupiter, Florida). A line of attack that Ms. Clinton unleashed in her speech, which Mr. Trump has yet to address. (Won’t that be fun?)
Anyway, do voters know how the federal GFSZA works, or care? By the same token, do they care about Mr. Trump’s policy contortions (to be charitable)? The answer, I feel, is a profoundly depressing “no.” And yes, I know: #anybodybuthillary.