President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE said Tuesday he spoke with Sen. Chris Murphy Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocratic senator calls for 'more flexible' medical supply chain to counter pandemics The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon GOP chairman to release interim report on Biden probe 'in about a week' MORE (D-Conn.) about pressing forward on background checks in the wake of recent mass shootings.

"We had a very good conversation. We’ll see what happens," Trump told reporters while en route to a speech in Pennsylvania.

ADVERTISEMENT

Murphy has been a leading advocate for more gun control laws since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in his state in 2012. He tweeted Tuesday that he'd spoken with Trump and Sens. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinSenate passes resolution reaffirming commitment to peaceful transition of power Hopes for DC, Puerto Rico statehood rise Manchin defends Supreme Court candidate Barrett: 'It's awful to bring in religion' MORE (D-W.Va.) and Pat Toomey Patrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA's bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (R-Pa.) about support for background checks legislation.

"We continue to work to find common ground, but as I told the President, we can't get a bill if he and the GOP give the gun lobby veto power," Murphy tweeted.

I've spoken to @POTUS as well as @Sen_JoeManchin and @SenToomey over the past several days re our background checks bills. We continue to work to find common ground, but as I told the President, we can't get a bill if he and the GOP give the gun lobby veto power. — Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) August 13, 2019

The president has been adamant that he supports passing stronger background checks after back-to-back mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, left more than 30 people dead and dozens wounded. But it's unclear if there will be enough GOP support in the Senate to pass such legislation.

Trump on Tuesday reiterated that he believes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTrump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline The Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power MORE (R-Ky.) is in favor of taking action on gun safety.

"Look, it’s very simple: There is nobody more pro-Second Amendment than Donald Trump, but I don’t want guns in the hands of a lunatic or a maniac," he said. "And I think if we do proper background checks, we can prevent that."

But there is reason to be skeptical. Trump has in the past voiced support for stronger gun laws only to back off amid pressure from the National Rifle Association and limited GOP buy-in.

Manchin and Toomey previously unveiled background check legislation which failed by six votes in the Senate in 2013 following the Sandy Hook shooting. It is unclear whether attitudes have shifted enough to change the outcome in 2019.