In the wake of several fatal shootings sweeping the nation, President Joe Biden has renewed his plea for stronger gun control measures, according to a report from Politico.
In just the past few days, the country has witnessed a surge in violence with a minimum of nine fatalities and countless injuries as a result of shootings in cities such as Philadelphia, Fort Worth, Baltimore, and Wichita. This has pushed the United States to an all-time high for mass killings and casualties in a single year.
President Biden highlighted last year’s Highland Park, Illinois, Fourth of July mass shooting incident, where an individual killed seven people at a parade with an assault weapon. Following this event, local legislators successfully implemented an assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban in Illinois.
President Biden acknowledged the potential lives saved by this legislation, yet emphasized the need for further action both within Illinois and throughout the country to counter the increasing gun violence that is wreaking havoc in our neighborhoods.
On Tuesday, Biden further expanded his gun control suggestions by encouraging lawmakers nationwide to implement secure firearm storage laws, eliminate immunity for firearm manufacturers from legal responsibility, and establish universal background checks.
“I encourage other states to emulate Illinois’ example and persistently request Republican members of Congress to negotiate and agree on logical, common-sense alterations that garner public approval,” he stated.
In an additional comment, Biden said, “Today, Jill and I mourn those whose lives were lost. We envision a time when our neighborhoods will no longer be threatened by gun violence.”
Despite the pressing need, various gun control proposals have consistently been stalled in Congress over the past few decades. However, last June saw a breakthrough with the approval and presidential sign-off of a bill intended to prevent those undergoing mental health crises from accessing firearms.
