President Joe Biden has renewed calls for an assault weapons ban in wake of high-profile mass shootings.
According to NBC News, POTUS reiterated his stance during a trip to Massachusetts on Thanksgiving, just days after deadly shootings unfolded at a Colorado LGBTQ bar and a Virginia Walmart.
“The idea that we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be purchased is sick,” Biden said while speaking to first responders at a Nantucket Island firehouse. “It has no, no social redeeming value. Zero. None. Not a single solitary rationale for it except profit for the gun manufacturers.
“I’m going to try. I’m going to try to get rid of assault weapons,” he added.
The last time Congress passed an assault weapons ban was in 1994; however, the law only existed for 10 years. Since then, the House and Senate have failed to outlaw assault-style rifles, despite calls for gun reform. Back in July, the Democratic-controlled House voted to ban semiautomatic assault weapons following mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo, New York; however, the legislation is likely doomed in the Senate, as all Democrats and at least 10 Republicans would need to support the bill in order to break a filibuster.
Congress has proved reluctant to outlaw AR-15s and other assault-style guns. The Democratic-controlled House passed a ban in July, in a vote largely along party lines. But the bill stands little chance of advancing in the Senate, where 10 Republicans would need to join a unified Democratic caucus to break a filibuster.
On Thursday, the White House confirmed Biden and first lady Jill Biden call the owners of Colorado Springs’ Club Q, an LGBTQ bar where five people were killed in a mass shooting.
“They reiterated their support for the community as well as their commitment to fighting back against hate and gun violence,” according to a statement. “They also thanked [Club Q owners Nic Grzecka and Matthew Haynes] for the incredible contributions they have made and will continue to make to Colorado Springs.”
Days after the Club Q shooting, a Virginia Walmart employee shot and killed six of his co-workers and wounded half a dozen others. The gunman was identified as Andre Bing, a 31-year-old nigh manager who allegedly took his own life after opening firing in the store’s break room.