Joe Biden was then the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He surveyed the display of black military-style rifles in the middle of a room and denounced the sale guns that “only real purpose is to kill humans at a ferocious rate.”
It was almost three decades ago and Congress was close to passing an assault weapons ban. The law was eventually repealed and guns that were illegally obtained are now easily available. This includes the gun used in the recent slaughter at Uvalde Elementary School, Texas.
This tragedy, which occurred less than two weeks following another mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store, New York, has helped Biden’s presidency refocus on one of his greatest political challenges — the long fight to control gun violence.
Biden has been involved in many of the movements most important successes over the years, including the 1994 assault weapons ban and its most troubling failures, such as the inability to pass new legislation following the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. His White House, already working to reduce gun violence with executive orders, now organizes calls with activists to chart a way forward.
He understands the history of this issue. Christian Heyne (Vice President of Policy at Brady, the gun control advocacy group) said that he understands the political landscape. He feels the loss of opportunities in the past and knows that this is his last chance at making an impact on gun violence in America.
Biden’s response to Texas’ latest shooting was a heartbreaking one, even for a politician who is known for his passion.
Biden spoke Wednesday to call for new laws to be passed in Congress.
Stef Feldman is a deputy assistant of the president and said that the number of deaths, from Buffalo to Uvalde, to everyday shootings that don’t make national headlines, only intensifies the urgency of the administration’s efforts.
She stated that every story about victims of gun violence gives her more energy and a greater drive to keep the work going. It’s worth trying to save one life with a creative policy
