President Biden said on Wednesday that he and First Lady Jill Biden would head to Texas “in the coming days” to do their utmost to comfort a community torn apart by the killing of 19 young students.
Addressing the shooting with official notes for the second time since the day before, the president reiterated the need for “sensible” measures to reform weapons and called on the Senate to confirm his candidacy in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. (ATF). The president made remarks during an event focused on signing an executive order to increase police accountability.
“Since I spoke last night, the number of confirmed deaths has increased tragically, including one more teacher and two more – three more students,” the president said. “Jill and I will travel to Texas in the coming days to meet with the families and tell them we have a feeling, just a feeling of their pain. And let’s hope we bring some comfort to the community in shock and grief and trauma. As a nation, I think we should all be by their side. Everyone. And we have to ask when, for God’s sake, we will do what we have to do, if not stop completely, to fundamentally change the size of the carnage that continues in this country. “
Without going into specific legislation, the president said that “sound weapons reforms”, while not preventing any tragedy, could have a significant impact without harming the Second Amendment.
“The second amendment is not absolute,” the president said.
US President Joe Biden listens to the signing of an executive order reforming federal and local police on the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death during a White House event in Washington, DC, May 25, 2022. KEVIN LAMARK / REUTERS
As he did on Tuesday night, the president called on members of Congress to stand up to the arms lobby.
“The idea that an 18-year-old could go into a shop and buy weapons of war designed and put on the market for killing, I think, is just wrong,” Mr Biden said. “It just breaks common sense. Even the manufacturer, the inventor of this weapon, also thought. Do you know where the spine is?”
Presidential nominee for director of the ATF, Steve Detelbach, was grilled on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. Some Republicans have expressed concern about Detelbach’s support in the past for banning assault weapons.
“The Senate must confirm it without delay, without apology,” Mr Biden said of his candidate on Wednesday. “Send the nomination to my desk. It’s time for action.”
Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday also called on Congress to pass “reasonable” gun safety laws on Wednesday, speaking before the president.
“As the president said last night, we must have the courage to stand up to the arms lobby and pass sensible gun safety laws,” she said. “We need to work together to create an America where everyone feels safe in their community. Where children feel safe in their schools.
“Rob Legare contributed to this report.”
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Catherine Watson
Catherine Watson is a political reporter for CBS News Digital based in Washington, DC
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