Joe Biden has reiterated his call for Congress to enact a ban on assault rifles, including the model used in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, a gunman fired at Trump from a nearby rooftop, grazing his ear with a bullet.
“At the shooting of Donald Trump, an AR-15 assault weapon was used, the same type of weapon responsible for countless other deaths, including children. It’s time to outlaw them,” Biden declared to an audience at a convention in Las Vegas upon returning to the campaign trail after the attack.
Following the shooting, Biden’s campaign had paused for several days, refraining from verbal attacks, pulling television ads, and emphasizing a message of unity promoted by prominent Democrats.
Addressing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on Tuesday, Biden lamented the divisive state of politics but emphasized the importance of truth-telling.
“Just because our politics are deeply divided doesn’t mean we should abandon truth. It’s fair game to discuss who you are, what you’ve done, and what you intend to do,” he asserted.
Biden criticized Trump’s statements later in his speech to the primarily black audience, declaring, “Let me reiterate because Trump is distorting the truth,” highlighting achievements such as record-low Black unemployment during his administration.
Gun rights have been a focal point of Biden’s campaigns over the years. He played a crucial role in passing the 1994 assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004, and referenced this legislation during his speech, pledging to take similar action again.
During his first term as president in 2022, Biden signed significant gun safety legislation, including enhanced background checks for gun buyers and other protections, marking the most substantial gun safety reforms in over two decades.
However, Biden has faced staunch opposition from Republicans regarding an assault weapons ban, despite ongoing efforts to prioritize gun safety legislation.
