Source: Editorial Board
Last month, President Biden announced the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The new office will take steps in reducing gun violence, and implement and expand upon key executive and legislative action which has been taken to save lives.
“Every time I’ve met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones, and I’ve met with so many throughout the country, they all have the same message for their elected officials: ‘do something.’ It’s why, last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands, and have taken more executive action than any President in history to keep communities safe,” President Biden stated in a statement.
“I’m announcing additional steps forward, with the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to build upon these measures and keep Americans safe. The Office will include Stefanie Feldman, who has capably led my Administration’s gun violence prevention efforts and been a trusted aide for more than a decade, alongside leading experts Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox whose own lives and families have been touched by the tragedy of gun violence.”
The office comes as gun-control activists and the public urge politicians to strengthen gun safety laws.
An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that a majority of Americans said it’s more important to curb gun violence than protect gun rights.
So far, more than 515 mass shootings have occurred in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Over 31,000 people have died from gun violence.
A Pew Research Center Analysis found that gun violence deaths among teens and children rose to an alarming 50 percent between 2019 and 2021; marking gun violence as the leading cause of death for children in the United States.
“Every person and every child deserves the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and live up to their God-given potential. Every family, in every community, should have the freedom to live and to thrive. We know true freedom is not possible if people are not safe. This epidemic of gun violence requires urgent leadership to end the fear and trauma that Americans experience every day,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement.
“The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a critical role in implementing President Biden’s and my efforts to reduce violence to the fullest extent under the law, while also engaging and encouraging Congressional leaders, state and local leaders, and advocates to come together to build upon the meaningful progress that we have made to save lives”.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced dozens of executive actions, including holding illegal gun dealers and gun traffickers accountable, providing law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to reduce gun violence, and addressing the root causes of gun violence.
Despite numerous gun safety laws remaining in limbo due to Republicans rejecting the crucial legislation, President Biden continues to urge Congress to pass a ban on assault weapons, require safe storage of firearms and background checks for all gun sales, along with investments towards gun violence prevention.
