Speaking at White House on Thursday, President Joe Biden decried the epidemic of gun violence in America as an “international embarrassment” and declared that it’s time for action as he rolled out a series of executive orders intended to address the issue.
Flanked in the Rose Garden by Vice President Harris and Attorney General Merrick Garland, Biden took a swipe at Republicans who argue any law on gun control threatens the second Amendment.
“Nothing I’m about to recommend in any way impinges on the Second Amendment. They’re phony arguments suggesting these are Second Amendment rights at stake with what we’re talking about. But no amendment, no amendment to the Constitution is absolute.”
“So the idea is just bizarre to suggest that some of the things we’re recommending are contrary to the Constitution,” he added. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic. And it’s an international embarrassment.”
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During his speech, Biden reiterated his calls for Congress to take action by passing three House-passed measures on the issue, just as he did last month after the Colorado shooting. The president urged the Senate to pass the House bills that would expand background checks, close the so-called Charleston loophole and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. All three were passed with bipartisan support in the House.
“They’ve offered plenty of thoughts and prayers… but they’ve passed not a single new federal law to reduce gun violence,” Biden said. “Enough prayers. Time for some action.”
Watch:
‘Enough prayers, time for some action’ — Pres. Biden is calling on Congress to pass these gun laws pic.twitter.com/9paVCA0NU5
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 8, 2021
