Biden urges GOP to help reform gun laws after shootings in Texas, Nevada

President Biden on Wednesday urged the GOP to help take action on gun control after shootings in Texas and Nevada over the past two days. 

“For all the action we have taken since I’ve been president, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. But we cannot do more without Congress,” Biden said in remarks. 

“Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national red flag law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence,” the president urged.

On Tuesday, six people were killed and several others injured in a string of shootings in San Antonio and Austin, Texas.

On Wednesday, a shooter opened fire at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Multiple victims were reported, and further details are still developing. 

Biden in his statement expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and shared gratitude for law enforcement. 

“This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal,” Biden said.

The Biden administration has long called for gun reform and earlier this fall announced the creation of an office of gun violence prevention. The president has been openly critical of Republicans in Congress for not taking action on the issue.

As he campaigns for reelection in 2024, Biden’s team has also warned that another term for former President Trump — the front-runner in the GOP’s presidential primary race — would lead to further gun violence issues.