U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban after seven people; three children, three adults and the shooter were killed in a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, Biden said at the White House.
‘We have to do more to stop gun violence. It’s ripping our communities apart,’ Biden said at the White House.
‘I call on Congress again to pass my assault weapons ban.’
The Nashville shooter, a 28-year-old who was fatally shot by officers at the scene during altercation, had one semi-automatic rifle and two handguns.
Biden, a Democrat, has repeatedly called for a renewed assault weapons ban and stricter rules on gun sales, measures that need to pass Congress.
The House of Representatives is controlled by Republicans; any new gun safety legislation is unlikely to pass through while Republicans are in charge.
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre took a dig at the Republicans over the Nashville mass shooting.
‘How many more children have to be murdered before Republicans in Congress will step up and act to pass the assault weapons ban, to close loopholes in our background check system or to require the safe storage of guns?’ Jean-Pierre told reporters before Biden spoke.
