In the wake of the second mass murder with one week, President Joe Biden called for tighter gun control laws and called on the Senate to pass two measures passed by the House to curb gun violence, USA Today reports.
“I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common sense steps that will save the lives in the future and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act,” Biden said, speaking from the White House State Dining Room. “We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again.”
The Senate, however, seems unlikely to push the House legislation, with Republicans on the Judiciary Committee voicing opposition to any restrictions even in the wake of two mass murders. The hearing was scheduled before the Monday massacre in Boulder.
“These are bills that received votes with both Republicans and Democrats in the House. This is not and should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue that will save lives, American lives. And we have to act. We should also ban assault weapons in the process.”
Speaking to a reporter on Air Force One as President Biden flies to Columbus, Ohio on a previously scheduled trip, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Biden may use executive orders to enact gun safety policy.
“We are considering a range of levers, including working through legislation, including executive action … that has been under discussion and will continue to be under discussion,” she said. “The way that [Biden] sees it is that there a number of levers that any president of the United States can use.”