On the third anniversary of Parkland School Shootout, President Joe Biden asked Congress to pass tougher gun laws, including the ban on assault weapons. In a White House statement, Biden on Sunday urged Congress to pass laws requiring background checks on all arms sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity combs and eliminating immunity for arms manufacturers.
“Today, while we cry with the Parkland community, we mourn for everyone who has lost loved ones due to armed violence,” said Biden.
The White House did not provide further details about Biden’s plan.
On February 14, 2018, an armed man opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17. Since then, many of the students and community members have become passionate supporters of stricter gun laws. The sniper is still awaiting trial.
His organization, March for Our Lives, has been pressing Biden to appoint an arms czar who would serve in a position adjacent to the cabinet. According to a statement sent to CNN in December, the group asked a National Director for the Prevention of Weapon Violence “to reflect the understanding that armed violence is a public health crisis and disproportionately affects our most vulnerable populations.”
Mr. Biden promised on the campaign trail to take action against weapons in the first 100 days in office. Last week, gun control groups Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action said they met with members of the Biden government. Both Everytown and Moms Demand said they had released roadmaps of how the Biden government can take action against armed violence.
Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was killed in the Parkland shooting, tweeted on February 12 that he met with Biden’s domestic policy consultant, Susan Rice.
“Thanks @ AmbRice46 for your extended time yesterday. President @Joe Biden personally he spoke to me of his commitment to lead the issue of arms security and that commitment was reinforced in our conversation yesterday. I look forward to working with @WhiteHouse on this,” Guttenberg wrote.
Tim Perry contributed to this report.