Elon Musk backs ‘tight’ background checks for all gun sales

Tesla SpaceX CEO Elon Musk called for a “strict” background check on all gun purchases, while supporting firearm ownership as a “protection measure” against political tyranny. Texas.

In an email to CNBC, Musk accused the media of paying attention to the murderers by reporting the shootings, believing they were anxious.

“As for recent events, shooters are obviously doing this to get as much attention as possible. Why is the media doing exactly what the mass murderers want?” Musk Asked.

The mask company has a big footprint in Texas.Electric car maker Tesla moved Headquartered from California to Austin last year, with less stringent business regulations in Lone Star and state and local incentives worth about $ 64 million.

Tesla officially opened a large new vehicle and battery factory near Austin in April.

Musk also operates SpaceX, which launches reusable rockets from Bocachica in southern Texas.

The CEO has become politically loud in recent months, publication At the beginning of May he will vote for the Republican Party.

He emailed CNBC on Wednesday to support “rigorous background checks” on all gun sales, people in special circumstances such as gun range owners, or “high-risk places like gangsters.” He said he would limit the sale of assault weapons to people who live in. war. “

At least 19 children and 2 adults He was killed in a mass shooting at an elementary school in Yuvarde, Texas on Tuesday. This is one of the mass shootings in the United States so far this year.

“We strongly believe that armed rights are an important protective measure against the government’s potential tyranny. Historically, the fact that powers did not allow public ownership of guns maintains power over people. “Because of that,” Musk said in an email to CNBC.

Forbes It ranks Musk as the wealthiest person in the world and has a net worth of over $ 200 billion. He is in the process of acquiring Twitter for a transaction that was originally worth more than $ 40 billion. He said former President Donald Trump would be returned to the platform if the deal was closed.

twitter Permanently banned Former President in January 2021 after a siege by his supporters at the US Capitol. At the time, social media companies said they had made a decision “because of the risk of further incitement to violence.”

Trump is an avid user of the platform and has attracted more than 80 million followers. Mask has even more Twitter followers than Trump at the time, including a corps of shareholders and fans of his company.

In Republican-controlled Texas, SpaceX is seeking FAA approval to expand its Bocachica facility and launch a Starship Super Heavy Vehicle there.Environmentalists and other local groups Pushed back Some of the company’s plans.

Musk was recently accused of sexually harassing SpaceX flight attendants. Business Insider. Musk denied the claim.

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott schedule Count the masks among his allies to attend the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association of Progan on Friday. Trump is also set up to attend NRA meetings. Abbott said in an interview with CNBC last year that he talks “frequently” with musk.

“Eron had to leave California because it’s part of California’s social policy and she consistently tells me that she likes Texas social policy.” Abbott said at the timeAfter he introduced Close to abortion ban It is in a state.

Musk did not respond when asked if he would call Abbott to push him to strengthen background checks at the Texas level. A Democrat in Congress has called on his colleagues to pass comprehensive gun control since the shooting in Texas.

One tesla worker in december Shot and killed A colleague in the parking lot of a Tesla factory in Fremont, California.