President Joe Biden exclaimed, “Enough, enough!” as he addressed the nation, imploring Congress for action to stop gun violence following mass shootings that he claimed had transformed schools, supermarkets, and other places of daily life into “killing grounds.”
He warned that if legislators fail to act they should be outraged and turn it into a major issue during November’s midterm elections.
Biden spoke at the White House Thursday night and acknowledged the political headwinds he faced as he tried to push Congress to adopt stricter gun restrictions after past attacks.
He reiterated his calls for a ban on assault-style weapons sales and high-capacity magazines to be reinstated. He said that even if Congress doesn’t accept all of his suggestions, it should at least make compromises such as keeping guns out of the hands of those with mental illness or raising the purchase age of assault-style weapon from 18 to 21.
Biden asked, “How much more can we accept?” after the shootings last week by an 18 year old gunman who shot dead 19 children and two teachers at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas. On Wednesday, another gunman attacked Tulsa, Oklahoma where he killed four people, as well as himself, at a Tulsa medical office. He said, “Don’t tell my age raising won’t make any difference.”
These shootings were close to the scene of the May 14th assault in Buffalo, New York. A white 18-year old wearing military gear, and livestreaming from a helmet camera, opened fire with a gun at a supermarket in a predominantly Black area. Ten people were killed and three more were injured in what authorities called “racially motivated violent extremeism.”
Biden stated, “This time, we have to make the effort to do something,” calling out the Senate where 10 Republican votes are needed to pass legislation.
Biden’s speech was full of passion, but Congress has yet to take any significant action despite his many big requests and small fallback options.
He said, “I know how difficult it is, but that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying, and if Congress fails to act, I believe the majority of Americans will not give up,” he continued. “I believe that the majority of you will take action to make this an issue central to your vote.
