Trump pulls back from big changes to gun laws

US President Donald Trump will support a modest set of fixes to gun laws, stepping back from some of the more sweeping changes he had considered after the country's latest mass school shooting, senior officials told reporters on Sunday.

Opting for a plan the administration officials described as "pragmatic," Trump backs legislation proposed in Congress aimed at providing more data for the background check system - a database of people who are not legally allowed to buy guns.

More contentious proposals, such as raising the minimum age for buying guns to 21 from 18, or requiring background checks for guns bought at gun shows or on the internet, will be studied by a commission headed by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, the officials said.

Trump's administration will step up aid to states that want to arm school employees under a plan to increase campus safety.

"The administration will be working with states to provide rigorous firearms training to specifically qualified volunteer school personnel," said Andrew Bremberg, a presidential assistant who heads the Domestic Policy Council.

Trump has said he believes armed teachers would deter school shootings and better protect students when they happen.

The president, who championed gun rights during his 2016 campaign, vowed to take action to prevent school shootings after a gunman killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida, on February 14.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called Trump's plan "tiny baby steps designed not to upset the NRA" and said Democratic senators would push for broader measures.