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Trump, Gun Lobby Agree to Discuss Terrorists and Guns


FILE - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is introduced by National Rifle Association executive director Chris W. Cox (L) and NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre (R), as Trump takes the stage to speak at the NRA convention, May 20, 201
FILE - Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is introduced by National Rifle Association executive director Chris W. Cox (L) and NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre (R), as Trump takes the stage to speak at the NRA convention, May 20, 201

The National Rifle Association said it will be "happy" to meet with Donald Trump to discuss gun control in the aftermath of the most deadly shooting in U.S. history.

Earlier, Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, announced via Twitter he would meet with the gun rights organization.

"I will be meeting with the NRA, who has endorsed me, about not allowing people on the terrorist watchlist, or no fly list, to buy guns," he wrote.

NRA chief lobbyist Chris Cox said the group has consistently opposed allowing terrorists to lawfully buy guns in the United States.

He said, "Anyone on a terror watchlist who tries to buy a gun should be thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the sale delayed while the investigation is ongoing."

Cox said the government should be allowed to block the sale of guns and arrest individuals if evidence points to terrorist activity.

Trump did not say when or where he would meet with the NRA.

Trump's announcement comes as the Republican Party attempts to respond to Saturday's nightclub massacre of 49 people in the southeastern city of Orlando, Florida.

The gunman, Omar Mateen, had been investigated twice by the FBI and was on its terrorist watchlist for 10 months before being removed.

Two newly-released polls, meanwhile, show increased voter dissatisfaction with Trump.

A CBS News poll released Wednesday found a majority of Americans do not agree with the way he is responding to the mass killing. Fifty one percent disapproved of the way he is handling the matter, compared with 25 percent who approve and 24 percent who did not have an opinion.

A second poll, conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News, showed negative views of the real estate magnate-turned-politician have surged.

Seventy percent of Americans view Trump unfavorably, with 56 percent feeling "strongly" negative. This represents a 10 point spike in negative ratings in just the past month and the highest negative rating Trump has received since he launched his presidential campaign last summer.

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