Biden and Harris highlight the administration's initiatives to reduce firearm-related harm
(CNN) — President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris joined forces at the White House on Thursday, addressing the topic of decreasing crime and violence in America, particularly focusing on guns. Biden took a dig at his predecessor, saying, "After another school shooting, my predecessor and many other Congress members said, 'Just get over it.' Last year, who the hell thinks they can just dismiss such tragedies?"
Biden also reacted to Sen. JD Vance's comment that school shootings have become "a fact of life," stating, "Really? Who the hell do these people think they are?"
Harris, staying true to her campaign trail themes, emphasized everyone's right to live, work, and learn without fear of violence. She pointed out, "Our nation is facing an epidemic of gun violence, and I firmly believe the right to safety is a fundamental human right. Yet, the American people are living in constant fear."
Harris, acknowledging her own gun ownership, condemned the misguided dichotomy between preventing further tragedies and upholding the Second Amendment. She clarified, "I support the Second Amendment, but we need to reinstate the assault weapons ban, implement universal background checks, promote safe storage laws, and establish red flag laws."
Biden highlighted the initiatives his administration has implemented, such as 2022's Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and billions of dollars in funding from the American Rescue Plan for law enforcement communities. He pointed to Harris' background, "Thanks to a competent prosecutor with extensive experience on these matters, she's received a lot of backlash from the other guy, claiming we're not aiding the law enforcement."
The executive order signed by Biden aims to tackle the menace from advancements in gun technology, including 3D printed and ghost guns. It also established a task force responsible for evaluating risks posed by conversion devices that can transform semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and unserialized printed firearms readily available online.
Witnessing the event were Randall Woodfin, the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, which dealt with a mass shooting involving weapons with conversion switches last weekend, as well as Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath, whose son was fatally shot in 2012, and former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was injured in a 2011 shooting in a supermarket parking lot.
Biden cautioned that Republican victories in the White House or Congress in November could potentially undermine efforts to strengthen gun legislation, while Harris urged lawmakers to address gun violence with greater determination. "More political leaders like those present here in Congress are needed, with the courage to push forward, defy the gun lobby, and prioritize our children's lives over politics," she concluded.
Biden further emphasized the importance of addressing politics surrounding gun violence, stating, "We cannot allow politics to stand in the way of protecting our children's lives."
Harris also highlighted the need for political will to combat gun violence, saying, "Stronger gun legislation requires political courage and a willingness to defy the powerful gun lobby."
