Remarks by President Biden on Gun Violence Avoidance

Rose Yard

**You should see under for a correction, marked with an asterisk.

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Kamala — Madam Vice President.  Thank you incredibly considerably. 
 
You know, we’re joined currently by the Attorney Typical, Merrick Garland, who I’ve questioned to prioritize gun violence.  It’s also superior to see the 2nd Gentleman, who is right here.  And it is superior to see the First Lady, Dr. Jill Biden, who cares deeply about this problem as well. 
 
And I appear out there and I see so many members of Congress who have led in this combat.  So many of you who have by no means given up.  So numerous of you who are in — completely identified, as Murph and other people are, to get this performed. 
 
We received a lengthy way to go.  It normally appears to be like we often have a very long way to go.  But I also — these days, we’re using ways to confront not just the gun crisis, but what is in fact a community overall health disaster.  Nothing at all — nothing I’m about to advocate in any way impinges on the 2nd Amendment.  They’re phony, arguments suggesting that these are Next Amendment rights at stake from what we’re speaking about. 
 
But no amendment — no amendment to the Constitution is complete.  You can’t yell crowd — you can’t convey to [yell]* “fire” in a crowded film theater and get in touch with it independence of speech.  From the really beginning, you couldn’t individual any weapon you required to personal.  From the pretty beginning that the Second Modification existed, selected men and women weren’t authorized to have weapons.  So the concept is just weird to counsel that some of the factors we’re recommending are contrary to the Structure. 
 
Gun violence in this place is an epidemic.  Allow me say it once more: Gun violence in this state is an epidemic, and it’s an worldwide humiliation.  (Applause.) 
 
You know, we saw that yet again.  Past evening, as I was coming to the Oval workplace, I got the word that, in South Carolina, a doctor with his spouse, two grandchildren, and a man or woman doing work at his household was gunned down — all five.  So many folks — so numerous of the folks sitting down here today know that perfectly, regretably.  You know, they know what it’s like when the seconds alter your life without end. 
 
I have experienced the — the enjoyment of receiving to meet up with, in awful situation, quite a few of you — quite a few of you who’ve lost your small children, your husbands, your wives.  You know, they know what it is like to bury a piece of their soul deep in the Earth.  We comprehend that. 
 
Mark and Jackie, I want to tell you: It’s usually superior to see you, but not under these conditions. 
    
I want to say, prior to I introduce the relaxation of the folks, is, you know, what — a large amount of people have not been by way of what they’ve been by — do not fully grasp.  It requires a whole lot of braveness to occur to an event like this.  They’re unquestionably, totally identified to make improve. 
 
But Mark and Jackie, whose son Daniel was a 1st grader at Sandy Hook Elementary University.  Daniel beloved sports activities — loves outdoors sporting activities, acquiring muddy.
 
I see my pal Fred Guttenberg.  His daughter, Jaime, was a freshman at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Superior Faculty.  She was an accomplished dancer.
 
I see Brandon Wolf, who — the shooting at the — at the impulse — at the Pulse club — nightclub.  He survived, but his two very best friends died. 
 
Greg Jackson, who was just strolling down the avenue when he was caught in the crossfire of a gunfight.
 
And, of system, I see a close pal of Jill’s and mine, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who is here.  Who was — who was speaking with her constituents in front a grocery keep in her state when she was shot and a member of her staff members was killed. 
 
You know, they’re here, and their discomfort is huge.  And, you know, what a great deal of you — hopefully quite a few of you — never know is if you have gone via a trauma, no matter how much you operate to make certain many others never go through it, each individual time you clearly show up at an party like this, it brings again when you got that cellular phone get in touch with.  It delivers again the immediacy of what occurred at that moment. 
 
So I truly imply it: Thank you.  Thank you for possessing the bravery — the braveness to be right here, the bravery to continue this battle.  Senator Blumenthal understands it.  A whole lot of the individuals out listed here realize it.  But it takes serious courage, so thank you.   
 
To turn pain into purpose and need that we acquire the steps that offers this means to the word “enough.”  Adequate.  Plenty of.  Plenty of.  More than enough.  Because what they want you to know, what they want you to do is not just pay attention. 
 
Each day in this state, 316 persons are shot.  Each individual one working day.  A hundred and 6 of them die each individual day.  Our flag was continue to flying at 50 percent-employees for the victims of the horrific murder of 8 principally Asian American people in Georgia when 10 a lot more life have been taken in a mass murder in Colorado. 
 
You in all probability didn’t hear it, but among individuals two incidents, less than a person week apart, there have been more than 850 more shootings — 850 — that took the life of much more than 250 individuals, and left 500 — 500 — hurt.  This is an epidemic, for God’s sake.  And it has to quit. 
 
So I’m right here to talk about two issues: very first, the ways we’re likely to acquire instantly, and, 2nd, the action that demands to be taken likely forward to control the epidemic of gun violence.
 
I requested the Lawyer Basic and his crew to establish for me rapid, concrete steps I could can choose now without having having to go by means of the Congress.   And currently, I’m saying a number of initial actions my administration is getting to control this epidemic of gun violence. 
 
Substantially far more require be finished, but the to start with — 1st, I want to rein in the proliferation of so-identified as “ghost guns.”   These are guns that are home made, designed from a package that contain the instructions on how to complete the firearm.  You can go invest in the package.  They have no serial quantities, so when they present up at a criminal offense scene, they cannot be traced. 
 
And the purchasers aren’t needed to go a history test to buy the package to make the gun.  Consequently, any individual — everyone from a criminal to a terrorist can buy this kit and, in as minimal as 30 minutes, put alongside one another a weapon.
 
You know, I want to see these kits handled as firearms less than the Gun Manage Act, which is likely to call for that the vendor and manufacturers make the crucial components with serial figures and operate track record checks on the prospective buyers when they wander in to purchase that offer. 
 
The area [sic] action we’re likely to — the second motion we’re likely to choose — back again in 2000 — the year 2000, the Bureau of Liquor, Tobacco, and Firearms released a report on its investigations into firearms trafficking in The united states.  The report was of pivotal benefit.  It was an vital tool for policymakers when I was in the Senate and outside of, at all ranges, to cease firearms from being illegally diverted into dangerous hands. 
 
These days, with online product sales and ghost guns, times and trafficking procedures have changed, and we have to adjust.  We also have to ask the Justice Section to release a new annual report.  This report will better support policymakers tackle firearms trafficking as it is right now, not what it was yesterday. 
 
A third improve: We want to handle pistols modified with stabilizing braces with the seriousness they are entitled to.  A stabilizing brace — you’re heading to (inaudible) — fundamentally, it tends to make that pistol a hell of a whole lot a lot more accurate and a mini-rifle.  As a end result, it’s far more deadly, effectively turning into a short-barreled rifle.  Which is what the alleged shooter in Boulder appears to have finished.
 
I want to be distinct that these modifications to firearms that make them a lot more lethal need to be matter to the National Firearms Act.  The Countrywide Firearms Act involves that a potential proprietor pay back a $200 cost and submit their title and other determining information and facts to the Justice Office, just as they would if they went out and procured a silencer for a gun. 
 
Fourthly, in the course of my campaign for President, I desired to make it less complicated for states to undertake severe hazard defense get laws.  They’re also identified as “red flag” regulations, which every person on this lawn is familiar with, but numerous men and women listening do not know.  These rules allow a police or family members member to petition a court docket in their jurisdiction and say, “I want you to briefly take out from the following people today any firearm they may perhaps have because they’re a risk.  In a crisis, they are presenting a threat to them selves and to other individuals.”  And the court helps make a ruling. 
 
To place this in perspective, extra than 50 % of all suicides, for example, entail the use of a firearm.  But when a gun is not obtainable, an endeavor at suicide — the demise level drops precipitously.  States that have crimson flag legal guidelines have observed and — found a reduction in the variety of suicides in their states. 
 
Every solitary thirty day period, by the way, an common of 53 females are shot and killed by an personal husband or wife.  I wrote the Violence Towards Women Act.  It’s been a constant wrestle to keep it relocating.  We know crimson flag legislation can have a sizeable effect in guarding ladies from domestic violence.  And we know red flag guidelines can end mass shooters just before they can act out their violent designs. 
 
I’m very pleased — “Excuse the place of particular privilege,” as we applied to say in the Senate — I’m happy that the crimson flag law in my property state of Delaware was named immediately after my son, Legal professional Common Beau Biden — our son excuse me, Jill — who proposed that laws again in 2013. 
 
I want to see a countrywide pink flag legislation and laws to incentivize states to enact their own purple flag rules.  Today, I requested the Justice Department to publish a design crimson flag legislation so states can begin crafting their own laws proper now.  Just like with track record checks, the extensive vast majority of Americans support these serious danger security buy laws, and it is time to put these legislation on the guides and defend even far more individuals.  The Attorney Standard will have additional to say about this in a moment. 
 
Additionally, we acknowledge that towns across the place are suffering from historic spikes in homicides, as the law enforcement can convey to you.  The violence is hitting Black and brown communities the most difficult.  Murder is the major bring about of loss of life of Black boys and males ages 15 to 34 — the major lead to of loss of life. 
 
But there are confirmed approaches that lessen gun violence in city communities, and there are plans that have demonstrated they can minimize homicides by up to 60 percent in city communities.  But numerous of these have been badly underfunded or not funded at all of late.
 
Gun violence in The us — for those people of you who assume of this from an financial standpoint listening to me — approximated to charge the country $280 billion –- permit me say it yet again — $280 billion a yr.  They explained, “How could that be, Joe?”  Clinic expenditures, bodily treatment, trauma counseling, authorized costs, jail expenditures, and the reduction of efficiency.  Not to mention the psychological damage carried out to the children who stay in these metropolitan areas, viewing this come about, realizing somebody it transpired to. 
 
This gun violence in our community is acquiring a profound influence on our young children, even if they are under no circumstances involved in pulling the set off or getting the victim of — on the other facet of a set off.
 
For a portion of the charge of gun violence, we can preserve life, create risk-free and healthier communities, and construct economies that do the job for all of us, and help you save billions of American dollars. 
 
In the meantime, considerably of it, as Senator Cicilline is aware of, is taxpayer revenue.
 
At last, the Bureau of Alcobol [sic] — Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the key agency imposing gun legal guidelines, hasn’t experienced a long lasting director given that 2015.
 
Right now, I’m happy to nominate David Chipman to provide as the Director of the AFT.  David knows the AFT effectively.  He served there for 25 a long time.  And Vice President Harris and I consider he’s the proper man or woman, at this second, for this significant agency.
 
And I have reported prior to: My career, the position of any President, is to secure the American persons.  Regardless of whether Congress functions or not, I’m going to use all the means at my disposal as President to maintain the American people today safe and sound from gun violence.  But there is much far more that Congress can do to assistance that effort and hard work.  And they can do it suitable now.
 
They’ve supplied lots of views and prayers — associates of Congress — but they’ve handed not a solitary new federal legislation to decrease gun violence.  Enough prayers.  Time for some motion.
 
I imagine the Senate should really immediately go a few House-handed payments to shut loopholes that make it possible for gun purchases — purchasers to bypass the track record checks.  The broad majority of the American folks, which include gun homeowners, believe there must be background checks ahead of you invest in a gun.
 
As was pointed out previously, hundreds of thousands of people have been denied guns mainly because of the history checks.  What extra would have occurred? 
 
These expenses, 1, need history checks for everyone paying for a gun at a gun demonstrate or an on the internet sale.  (Applause.)
 
Most folks do not know: If you wander into a retailer and you purchase a gun, you have a track record examine.  But you go to a gun show, you can acquire what ever you want and no track record examine.
 
Second detail is to shut the Charles- — what’s known as the “Charleston” loophole.  Like individuals listed here, I put in time down at that church in Charleston.  What transpired is an individual was authorized to get the gun made use of to get rid of all those innocent men and women at a church support.  If the FBI has not com- — didn’t total the qualifications verify within just 3 times. 
 
There is a process.  If was not performed in a few times, in accordance to Charleston loophole, you get to obtain the gun.  They bought the gun and killed a hell of a good deal of harmless folks who invited him to pray with them.
 
And three, reauthorize the Violence In opposition to Ladies Act, which — the so-known as — close — (applause) — the “boyfriend” and “stalking” loopholes to keep guns out of the arms of persons identified by a court to be an abuser and continuing threat.
 
I held over a thousand several hours of hearings to move the Violence Versus Women of all ages Act, and one particular point arrived as a result of.  If, in point, a stay-absent purchase — an buy preventing the abuser from coming in a selected length of the human being he has abused or she has abused — and now the concept that they can very own a weapon when they have a court docket buy indicating they are an abuser? 
 
These are some of the finest applications we have suitable now to reduce gun violence and help you save life.  But all these expenses, they experienced guidance of each Democrats and Republicans in the House.  And universal qualifications checks are supported by the extensive the greater part of the American folks and, I may well insert, the broad majority of accountable gun owners.
 
So enable me be crystal clear: This is not a partisan concern amid the American people.  This is a check out by the American people today as an American problem.  And I’m inclined to perform with anybody to get these performed. And it’s extensive earlier time that we act. 
 
Now, I know this has been a hobbyhorse of mine for a long time — acquired it performed at the time.  We need to also ban assault weapons and superior-capacity journals in this place.  (Applause.)
 
For that 10 decades we experienced it accomplished, the range of mass shootings really went down.  Even regulation enforcement officials have explained to me and informed other champions of this laws they at times experience outgunned by assault weapons with significant-capability magazines. 
 
There’s no explanation someone demands a weapon of war with 100 rounds, 100 bullets that can be fired from that weapon.  No person requirements that.  Nobody needs that.
 
We bought that finished when I was a United States senator.  It was not straightforward going up from the gun lobby, but it saved life.  And we should really also remove gun companies from the immunity they acquired from the Congress.  (Applause.)
 
You comprehend — once more, the people today listed here — for the reason that they’re so educated out right here in the Rose Back garden.  But what folks never know: The only sector in America — a billion-greenback marketplace — that just cannot be sued — has exempt from staying sued — are gun suppliers. 
 
Picture how various it would be experienced that same exemption been offered to tobacco providers who knew — who understood and lied about the threat they have been leading to — the cancer brought on and the like.  Think about where by we’d be.
 
But this is the only outfit that is exempt from staying sued. If I get a single issue on my checklist — the Lord arrived down and mentioned, “Joe, you get just one of these” — give me that a single.  (Applause.)  For the reason that I explain to you what, there would be a “come to the Lord” instant these individuals would have true rapidly.  But they’re not.  They’re not. They are exempt. 
 
I know that the dialogue about guns in this country can be a difficult 1.  But even in this article, there is considerably extra common floor than we — any person would consider.  There’s significantly far more widespread ground.
 
Every little thing that’s being proposed right now is thoroughly constant with the 2nd Modification.  And there is a large consensus powering the require to choose action.
 
I know that when overwhelming majorities of Us residents want to see some thing adjust that will affect their lives and it continue to does not modify, it can be demoralizing to our fellow citizens.  It can really feel like our total political approach is damaged. 
 
I know it’s painful and disheartening that we have not built the progress that we’d hoped for.  But it took five decades to get the Brady monthly bill passed, and it took even a lot more yrs to function to pass the assault weapons ban.  And it saved lives. 
 
No make any difference how prolonged it can take, we’re going to get these handed.  We’re not heading to give up.  We have an chance to satisfy the very first obligation of governing administration: to keep our people today safe.  And in the system, we can exhibit the entire world and present ourselves that democracy performs, that we can occur together and get big points performed.
 
When I glimpse all over and see such brave survivors sitting out listed here in the Rose Back garden, general public servants who devoted their life to working with this, advocates who truly feel strongly and are pushing just about every working day to make the rational alterations, and brave mothers and fathers and family members members, I know that progress, even in this most complicated of difficulties, is feasible.
 
So, folks, this is just the begin.  We have obtained a great deal of function to do.  But I know just about each individual 1 of you sitting in the backyard garden here none of you have ever supplied up.  We’re not likely to give up now. 
 
The strategy that we have so many men and women dying just about every single day from gun violence in The united states is a blemish on our character as country.
 
Enable me say to all of you: God bless you, but most importantly, the memory of all lots of of you have lost to this senseless gun violence. 
 
And now I’d like to hand it over to the Attorney Basic for him to talk and make some responses.  And I hope I get a possibility to see some of you following this is above. 
 
Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you. (Applause.)
 
12:22 P.M. EDT