National Rifle Association (NRA) spokeswoman Dana Loesch pushed back Thursday on proposals to raise the minimum age to purchase rifles from 18 to 21 in the aftermath of the Florida shooting, arguing that it wouldn't punish "a gangbanger in Chicago" while hurting "the 19-year-old deer hunter" during an interview on Fox News.



The commentary comes after Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart and Kroger announced this week their stores would no longer sell guns and ammunition to anyone under the age of 21. Several lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have also endorsed the idea, while President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE has urged Congress to consider the idea of raising the minimum age — a position opposed by the NRA.



"When we talk about age restriction, increasing ages, you’re not punishing a gangbanger in Chicago," Loesch said on "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning. "Not punishing those individuals adjudicated unfit and dangerous to themselves and states are not submitted records to [National Crime Information Center]."





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"You’re punishing people like I was, 20 years old living on my own. You’re punishing the 19-year-old deer hunter, looking forward to deer season. Those are people you’re punishing."Trump acknowledged the proposal would not sit well with the NRA, which wields powerful influence among primarily Republican lawmakers."This is not a popular thing to say in terms of the NRA, but I'm going to have to say it ... I think it's something you have to think about," Trump said during a bipartisan group of lawmakers during a White House meeting.