Following consecutive mass shootings... Biden's national address today: "We must stop the spread of gun violence"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Amid a series of mass shootings across various locations including New York, Texas, and Oklahoma in the United States, President Joe Biden will urge Congress to pass gun control legislation in a national address on the 2nd (local time).

According to the White House, President Biden will deliver the national address starting at 7:30 PM Eastern Time. He is expected to emphasize the necessity of related legislation, stating, "We must stop the spread of 'gun violence' that takes lives every day."

President Biden, who has made gun control a key campaign promise, has raised his voice for the passage of legislation every time a tragedy repeats, saying, "I'm really fed up now." Especially this time, as public opinion for regulation has grown following consecutive shootings, he appears to be taking a more proactive stance. He also indicated his intention to meet with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, to discuss gun control legislation.

Currently, two gun control-related bills are pending in the Senate: one to extend the background check period for weapon sales from the current 3 days to at least 10 days, and another to mandate background checks for all gun transactions.

Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee is discussing an emergency bill submitted as part of the response to the mass shooting at an elementary school in Texas that claimed 21 lives. The bill aims to raise the minimum age for purchasing assault weapons from 18 to 21 and to regulate ghost guns. It is expected to pass the House as early as next week.

Recently, mass shootings have been occurring one after another in the United States. The day before, a mass shooting occurred at a hospital building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, resulting in at least four deaths including the shooter and several injuries. This incident added to the shock within the U.S. as it happened during the funeral period for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on the 24th of last month.

Earlier, on the 14th of last month, a teenager who followed white supremacists indiscriminately shot Black people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killing 10. The shooter, Payton Gendron (18), claims he is not guilty.

The day before, a 16-year-old high school student in Berkeley, California, who planned a mass shooting and was recruiting students to join, was arrested by the police.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.