After a series of deadly gun strikes, US President Joe Biden called on Thursday evening to tighten gun laws and ban assault rifles. “How much more bloodshed are we willing to accept?” he asked in an emotional speech at the Washington White House. The Democrat called it “ruthless” that Republicans in the US Senate blocked any tightening of regulations.
“We cannot disappoint the American people again,” Biden said, calling on Americans to “put this issue at the heart of their voting decisions” ahead of November’s congressional elections. It’s time to act. “For the children we have lost, for the children we can save, for the nation we love.”
Biden: “Enough, enough, enough!”
“I will never give up. And if Congress fails, I believe that this time too, a majority of the American people will not give up. I think the majority of you will use your outrage to put this issue at the center of your voting decisions. Enough , enough, enough!” Biden said in his speech.
Biden said that if a ban on assault rifles is unenforceable in Congress, the minimum age for purchasing these guns should be raised from 18 to 21. He also called for a ban on the sale of high-capacity magazines. Arms buyers’ controls need to be tightened. Laws to safely store and protect weapons from potentially dangerous gun owners should be enacted. Firearms manufacturers must be held liable.
‘Right to possession of weapons is not absolute’
“This is not about taking someone’s weapons,” the president said. “I respect the culture, tradition and concerns of legitimate gun owners.” But, like all rights, the Second Amendment right to gun ownership is not absolute.
“Over the past two decades, more school-age children have died from firearms than on-duty police officers and active soldiers combined. Think about it.” Behind Biden, 56 candles were lit, which the White House said should represent victims of gun violence in all 56 states and territories of the United States.
Republicans against stricter rules
The disaster last week at a Texas elementary school in particular has rekindled the debate about tightening gun laws in the US. For years, many Republicans have opposed stricter regulations, such as a ban on assault rifles. The US has long struggled with massive levels of gun violence.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
