With 146 mass shootings this year as of April 16th, President Joe Biden and many lawmakers are again emphasizing the importance of stricter gun laws. After the most recent mass shooting in the FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Politico quoted President Biden calling on Congress to respond and stating, “Gun violence is an epidemic in America. But we should not accept it. We must act.” Biden reiterated the idea that lawmakers can do multiple things at once while also tackling Biden’s infrastructure bill, police reform bills, and racial justice bills.
After the mass shootings in Colorado and Atlanta, the Washington Post reported, the Democrat-led House passed two bills (on largely partisan lines) that would require and elongate the time for background checks for all firearms purchases and transfers. When passing the bill in the House of Representatives, representatives voted mainly along party lines, and it is likely the Senate will also vote along party lines. It is uncertain if the bill will pass the Senate because the Senate remains 50/50 democrat and republican, and Democrat Joe Manchin, from West Virginia, has more conservative views on the Second Amendment, and a New York Times article suggests only two Republicans are even open to reform.
Last week, CNN describes how President Biden, with Attorney General Merrick Garland’s help, developed executive orders that would provide more restrictions on buying and selling parts to make guns. Although Biden can create executive orders, Congress holds the power to make effective change with regards to gun control.
If you would like to share with Congress how you feel about gun control, you can use this link to send an email to your representatives.
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