Trump gets NRA endorsement, slams Clinton for ‘heartless’ gun restrictions

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Donald Trump on Friday slammed Hillary Clinton as “heartless” for backing restrictions on gun ownership that he said would leave Americans in high-crime areas unable to protect themselves. He also challenged Clinton to follow his lead and release a list of potential Supreme Court nominees.

Trump’s remarks came at the National Rifle Association convention in Louisville, Kentucky. The gun rights organization endorsed the presumptive Republican nominee ahead of his remarks, despite Trump’s previous support for measures like an assault weapons ban that the NRA vigorously opposes.

The businessman has taken a far less restrictive stance on guns during the Republican presidential primary. His call for ending “gun-free zones” across the country was enthusiastically welcomed by the NRA crowd.

Trump centered his remarks on Clinton, claiming she would seek to “abolish” the Second Amendment through the Supreme Court and release violent criminals if elected president. He also called her “Heartless Hillary” – a new nickname from the branding expert for the likely Democratic nominee – for backing restrictions aimed at reducing gun deaths, saying her proposals would instead leave law-abiding citizens exposed to criminals.

“She’s putting the most vulnerable Americans in jeopardy,” Trump said. He added that women in particular would be at risk, a nod to what he’s said will be a security-focused appeal to women in the general election.

Trump heads into the fall campaign with stunningly high disapproval ratings with women. The supremely confident Trump appeared to acknowledge that weakness, saying that while his poll numbers with men are strong, “I like women more than men.”

“Come on women, come on,” he said.

Clinton’s campaign called Trump’s gun policies “radical and dangerous.” Senior policy adviser Maya Harris said Clinton believes “there are common-sense steps we can take at the federal level to keep guns out of the hands of criminals while respecting the Second Amendment.”

Among the measures Clinton supports are expanding background checks to sales at gun shows and online purchases, and reinstating a ban on assault weapons.

Trump backed an assault weapons ban, as well as slightly longer waiting periods for gun purchases, in a 2000 book. He’s since said such bans don’t work and has also called for making it easier for law-abiding citizens to carry guns for self-protection.

On Friday, he reiterated his call for ending “gun-free zones” and touted the list of potential Supreme Court nominees he released this week as a sign of his commitment to upholding the Second Amendment.

“I’d like to call for Hillary Clinton to put together a list also,” said Trump, predicting her potential justices would be a “day and night” difference with his. He also said he expects the next president to appoint between three and five justices to the high court.

NRA leaders were blistering in their condemnation of Clinton, accusing her of threatening Americans’ freedom and being driven by personal greed. During one speech, an NRA leader briefly played a video showing Clinton barking like dog.

The organization’s leaders were less robust in their endorsement of Trump, mentioning him by name only briefly and saying little about his record on guns. They appeared to acknowledge there may be some reluctance among their members to backing the real estate mogul.

Chris Cox, the NRA’s chief lobbyist, said that for those who preferred other candidates to Trump, “It’s time to get over it.”

Since the early primary states, Trump used his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., both avid hunters and outdoorsmen, to connect with the gun community and counteract their father’s image as an elite Manhattanite. The pair have visited numerous gun ranges and gone on several hunting trips, often inviting the media along to document their skills.

He turned to his sons again Friday as he opened his remarks to NRA members, noting their long association with the group.

“They have so many rifles, so many guns that even I get a little concerned,” he added.