[Comprehensive] "The US is becoming a 'Killing Field'" Biden urges gun control legislation

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "Too many everyday places in the United States are turning into 'Killing Fields.'" As mass shootings continue across the U.S. in places like New York, Texas, and Oklahoma, President Joe Biden has called for the passage of gun control legislation.

In a nationally televised address on the afternoon of the 2nd (local time), President Biden stated, "Nothing has been done after gun tragedies. This time, we must do something." He enumerated recent mass shootings over the past decade, including Sandy Hook, Charleston, Las Vegas, and Parkland, saying, "In the past 20 years, more school-age children have died from guns than the combined number of active-duty police officers and military personnel," and questioned, "How many more massacres are we willing to accept?" He also asserted, "The problem we face is a matter of conscience and common sense."

President Biden emphasized, "(Gun control laws) are not about taking guns away from someone. They are not about stripping rights," but rather "protecting children, protecting families, protecting entire communities, and protecting our freedom to go to school, grocery stores, and churches without being shot." He added, "I know how difficult it is to pass through Congress, but I will never give up," and pressured Congress by saying, "I believe the majority of the American people will not give up either."

On the same day, President Biden demanded a ban on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. If such a ban is not possible, he proposed raising the minimum age to purchase these weapons to 21. The recent shooters at an elementary school in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, were both 18, the current minimum age for gun purchases. He also called for so-called red-flag laws that prohibit gun possession by individuals identified as dangerous.

He continued to criticize the Republican-controlled Senate blocking the passage of gun control laws. President Biden pointed out, "It is unconscionable that the majority of Senate Republicans do not even want these proposals to be debated or voted on." Local media reported that behind the Republican opposition, lobbying by gun manufacturers has a significant influence.

During President Biden's speech, the U.S. Democratic Party introduced the so-called 'Protecting Our Kids' bill in the House of Representatives, which raises the minimum age for gun purchases from 18 to 21. This bill was proposed in response to the recent mass shooting that claimed 21 lives at an elementary school in Texas. It includes provisions to raise the minimum age for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 and to classify gun trafficking and the sale of high-capacity magazines as federal crimes. The House Judiciary Committee will discuss the bill next week.

However, local media pointed out that this bill, like two others currently pending in the Senate, is unlikely to pass. Unlike the House, where Democrats hold the majority, the Senate is evenly split. To overcome a filibuster (legitimate obstruction through unlimited debate), at least 60 votes are needed, making Republican cooperation essential for passing legislation. Currently, two gun control-related bills are pending in the Senate: one to extend the background check period from the current 3 days to at least 10 days when selling firearms, and another to mandate background checks for all gun transactions.

Immediately after President Biden's speech, the National Rifle Association issued a statement saying, "(Gun control) is not a real solution, not true leadership, and not what America needs," and argued that it "would only infringe on rights."

President Biden, who campaigned on gun control, has raised his voice about the need for legislation every time a tragedy repeats, saying, "I'm really tired of this now." Especially this time, as public opinion for regulation spreads due to consecutive shootings, he appears to be taking a more proactive stance. Earlier, he also indicated his intention to meet with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and others to discuss gun control legislation.

Mass shootings have recently been occurring one after another in the United States. The day before, a mass shooting occurred at a hospital building in Tulsa, Oklahoma, killing at least four people including the shooter and injuring several others. This incident added to the shock in the U.S. as it happened during the funeral period for victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on April 24.

Earlier, on April 14, a teenager who followed white supremacist ideology 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, was arrested by police for planning a mass shooting and recruiting students to join.

The Washington Post (WP) reported that there have been a total of 232 mass shootings with four or more casualties so far this year. This means at least one such incident has occurred every week. By month, last month had the highest number with 61 incidents, followed by April (57), March (42), February (36), and January (34). WP stated, "Mass shootings have been increasing recently," noting that the annual number was around 400 cases since 2014, rising to 611 in 2020, and nearly 700 last year.

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