Renewed Call for Assault Rifle Ban
Las Vegas, NV – President Joe Biden has renewed his call for Congress to ban assault rifles, including the model used in the recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. During a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, Trump narrowly escaped serious injury when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, grazing his ear with a bullet. Addressing a convention in Las Vegas, President Biden stated, “An AR-15 was used in the shooting of Donald Trump. This is the same assault weapon that has taken countless lives, including those of children. It’s time to outlaw them.” This statement marked Biden’s return to the campaign trail following the attack.
Pause in Campaign Activities
In the days following the shooting, the Biden campaign paused all activities, ceasing verbal attacks, pulling television ads, and promoting a message of unity among prominent Democrats. On Tuesday, Biden continued this theme, lamenting the current state of heated political discourse. However, he did not shy away from criticizing Trump during his speech at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) convention, a significant civil rights organization.
“Just because our politics are very divided doesn’t mean we should stop telling the truth. Who you are, what you’ve done, what you will do – that’s fair game,” Biden told the audience. “Let me say it again because Trump is lying like hell about it: Black unemployment hit a record low under the Biden-Harris administration,” he added. Statistics confirm that under Biden’s administration, the unemployment rate for Black Americans reached a historic low of 4.8% in 2023.
What Happened in the U.S.? The Assassination
The attempted assassination of Trump sent shockwaves through American politics. On July 15, during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, a gunman fired shots from a rooftop while Trump was delivering a speech. The gunman, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, managed to injure Trump by grazing his ear. Trump was swiftly evacuated to safety, and a comprehensive investigation into the incident was launched. An independent review of the Secret Service’s response is currently underway, and Republican leaders in Congress have also announced an investigation.
Biden’s Longstanding Stance on Gun (rifle) Control
Gun control has been a recurring theme in Biden’s political career. In 1994, he played a pivotal role in passing an assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. Referring to this legislation during his speech, Biden asserted, “I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again.”
In his first term as president in 2022, Biden signed the most significant gun safety legislation in over two decades. This included enhanced background checks for gun buyers and other protections. However, he has consistently faced strong opposition from Republicans regarding an assault weapons ban.
Republican Response & Stance of Trump
Biden’s return to the campaign trail coincided with the second day of the Republican National Convention (RNC). Former presidential candidates Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, and others expressed their support for Trump. At a side event hosted by the US Concealed Carry Association, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign reiterated Trump’s commitment to safeguarding gun rights.Chris LaCivita told attendees, “We’ll see a continuation of supporting and defending the Second Amendment, and really where that comes into play is the judiciary.”
