Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday used the killings at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade to urge Congress to pass a new assault weapons ban — during a speech to a teachers union just miles from the massacre.
Harris began his address by saying that “yesterday should have been a day to gather with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s independence, and instead this community suffered a cruel tragedy.”
“We have to stop this violence,” she said to applause at the National Education Association’s annual convention in Chicago.
“And we must protect our communities from the terror of gun violence. You know, I’ve said it before: “That’s enough.”
“Congress must have the courage to act and renew the ban on assault weapons,” she said.
“An assault weapon is designed to kill a lot of human beings — quickly,” she said.
Raising her voice, she added: “There is no reason to have weapons of war on the streets of America. We need sensible gun safety laws.
Vice President Kamala Harris said Highland Park “suffered a cruel tragedy” while celebrating the Fourth of July. TANNEN MAURY/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Harris – whose speech was repeatedly interrupted by cheers from the audience at the McCormick Convention Center – also said Congress should “stop protecting these gun manufacturers with the shield of accountability.”
“Cancel it! Cancel it!” she shouted.
Harris earlier referred to the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, saying, “I mean, we’re here and our nation is still grieving the loss of those 19 babies and their two teachers.”
Vice President Kamala Harris said the country is still grieving the Uvalde school shooting. Pete Luna/Uvalde Leader-News/Handout via REUTERS
“Teachers should not practice barricading a classroom. Teachers should not know how to treat a gunshot wound,” she said.
“And teachers shouldn’t be told that lives would be saved if only you had a gun.”
More coverage of the Highland Park parade shooting
Harris later visited Highland Park on Tuesday night and said the country needs to get smarter about gun laws after encouraging people in the area to seek any help they can.
“And we’re going to deal with what we need to deal with as we go forward, all agreeing that we need to be smarter as a country about who has access to what and how -specifically to assault weapons,” Harris said. “And we have to take these things seriously, as seriously as you do because you were forced to have to take them seriously.
“The whole nation needs to understand and have a level of empathy to understand that this can happen anywhere.
Accused Highland Park shooter Robert “Bobby” Crimo III, 21, allegedly used a legally purchased AR-15-style rifle to fire more than 70 rounds that killed seven people and would have killed about 40 more.
Two rapid-fire shots separated by a pause were captured on chilling video, which also showed onlookers fleeing the carnage in terror.
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