Arne Duncan says race may play a role when it comes to changing gun laws

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan is speaking out about lawmakers' response to the deadly school shooting in Florida.

Duncan says race may be playing a role when it comes to the actions that lawmakers are taking in Illinois, and in Washington. 

The former Obama administration education secretary made the comments in an interview with FOX 32’s Political Editor Mike Flannery.

Arne Duncan says the Florida massacre shocked some Americans into rethinking gun policy because so many kids were killed all at once in a beautiful suburban school -- and, something else.

“This is a tough thing to say. The fact that these were largely white kids, I think, hit the public more than when our black and brown kids here in Chicago are being slaughtered,” Duncan said.

Whatever the reason, politicians from Springfield to Washington are suddenly giving serious consideration to proposals blocked in the past by allies of the National Rifle Association. One sign of the New World Order: President Trump ridiculed lawmakers allegedly too afraid of the NRA. The group spent more than $30 million to support the Trump campaign.

“We're determined to turn our grief into action,” Trump said.

Referring to a White House meeting with Capitol Hill Republicans and Democrats, the president tweeted, "Background checks a big part of conversation.” Urging action on some bill, he added, "Respect 2nd Amendment!"

A Pennsylvania Republican and a West Virginia Democrat propose tougher background checks for gun buyers, but not raising the age to 21 for purchase of so-called assault weapons, a move the NRA opposes.

one idea that has some support in Washington, but less here in Illinois, is to arm teachers. It wasn't helped by an incident at a school in Georgia. A teacher barricaded himself inside a classroom and started shooting. Fortunately, no one was hurt.