Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump said Friday there has been "tremendous support" for changing background check laws and appeared optimistic that the National Rifle Association would come around on the issue, despite public statements from the NRA against certain changes to current law.

"I really believe that the NRA — I've spoken to them numerous times — they're great people... and frankly I really think they're gonna get there also," Trump told reporters outside the White House on whether the NRA will support background check legislation.

When asked whether background checks will be bad for him politically, Trump didn't directly answer, saying there has been "no president that feels more strongly about the Second Amendment then I do. However we need meaningful background checks so sick people don't get guns."

Trump also referenced NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre, who spoke with Trump multiple times over the last two days, a person familiar with the conversations told CNN on Thursday. In those conversations, LaPierre made clear the NRA's stance on renewed calls for expanded background checks -- something the President has privately and publicly supported in recent days.

"I think in the end, Wayne and the NRA will either be there or maybe will be a little bit more neutral — and that would be OK too," Trump said Friday.

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