In a Thursday night address, President Biden called for Congress to ban assault weapons and to increase the age at which one can be purchased. He also called for other measures to reduce gun violence in America.
Biden stated, “If we cannot ban assault weapons, then we should raise their age to buy them from 18 to 21,”
He also demanded a ban of high-capacity magazines and background checks, as well as repealing immunity that protects gun makers from legal liability in the event their guns are used in violence.
These remarks were made the day after the 233rd mass shooter in the U.S.A this year occurred in Tulsa (Okla.) that left five people dead, including the shooter at Saint Francis Hospital.
This happened a week after Robb Elementary in Uvalde had lost 19 students and two teachers. 17 other people were also injured. A little more than two weeks later, 10 people were killed in a racist attack on a Buffalo grocery store. Three others were also injured.
Biden stated Thursday evening that there are too many schools, too many day places, which have turned into killing fields, battlefields in America. “The problem we face is one that requires consciousness and common sense. … Let me be clear: It’s not about taking away guns. It’s not about demonizing gun owners.
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center, guns are the leading cause for death among children.
Biden stated that in the last two decades, school-aged children have been killed by guns more than active-duty soldiers and on-duty police officers combined.
He spoke out about the effects of the AR-15 rifle upon the Texas school shooting victims.
He said that the damage to Uvalde was so severe that parents had DNA swabs done to identify the remains from their children (9- and 10-year-olds).
Gun control advocates received mixed reactions. Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety praised the speech. Gun control advocates were mixed in their reactions to the speech. Guns Down America, Manny Oliver (the father of the Parkland shooter victim) and Cameron Kasky, a former Parkland student, aEUR”, criticized the president for not being more aggressive in lobbying Congress and changing laws.
Oliver tweeted, “Ok…I was expecting to get an executive order but all we got was an Executive Prayer.”
Biden, a senator, was responsible for the assault-weapons prohibition, which was in effect from 2004 to 2010 and was still in force today. In today’s political climate, however, there are few options for the president to control gun violence without Congress.
There are some signs that there is some agreement about potential legislation. However, bipartisan action on guns usually fades after mass shootings.
Biden stated, “This time it’s time that the Senate does something,” adding that 10 Republican senators must be on board for any effort.
“I find it unconscionable that the majority of Senate Republicans do not want any of these proposals to be debated or put up for a vote. We cannot fail the American people.
A deal is possible on the Senate side. However, a bipartisan group consisting of John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spent the last week trying to find a compromise on legislation that would address gun violence.
State incentives are available to pass red flag laws and update school safety protocols.
It is not easy. Historically, GOP members have stood united against any law that would limit gun rights.
Separately in the Democratic-controlled House, the Judiciary Committee held a testy markup Thursday to advance a series of bills that would, among other things, raise the age for buying semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21, ban high-capacity magazines and increase background check requirements aEUR” nearly all of the provisions Biden advocated for in his speech.
The package could be up for a vote in the full House as soon as next week. There is little chance that the Senate will move on this measure.
Executive action can only be limited if Congress does not act. Biden signed several executive orders to address ghost guns and braces for AR-15 pistols. However, such rules are possible to be rescinded by the next administration.
Recent statements by members of Biden’s Cabinet urging Congress to pass “common-sense gun laws” have been made.
“We, ofcourse, hold the peoples of Tulsa close but we, of course reaffirm the commitment to passing common-sense gun safety laws,” Harris stated at the top of remarks at an event that highlighted federal student loan cancellation for Corinthian Colleges students. There are no excuses. While thoughts and prayers are important, Congress must act.
Wednesday’s speech was opened by Georgetown University Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who echoed this sentiment.
Vilsack stated that there are many other challenges to overcome, including the recent tragedies in New York and Texas where innocent children were killed while shopping in a grocery store.
