Staff Reports
The White House is amplifying its drive for stricter gun control policies in the wake of a tragic school shooting in Iowa. Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary, took center stage to underscore the administration's unwavering stance on gun legislation, vowing to persistently advocate for these reforms throughout President Joe Biden's tenure.
White House calls for gun control after Iowa school shooting: 'Always going to say we need more' https://t.co/xMTs3orNBp https://t.co/xMTs3orNBp
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) January 4, 2024
Expressing deep concern over the recent shooting incident, Jean-Pierre urged Congress to take decisive steps, lamenting, "It's just the start of the year, and yet another shooting has shaken us. It's profoundly distressing and disheartening. As I've emphasized, we've reached a tipping point. We'll keep pressing Congress to take action."
Acknowledging the bipartisan gun legislation inked by Biden in June 2022, Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration's belief that more comprehensive measures are imperative. She specifically highlighted the urgency of banning "high-capacity" magazines and "assault weapons," along with implementing red flag laws.
Pointing to the president's executive actions, she highlighted the 2022 bill as a significant step, being the first substantial gun control legislation signed since 1994. However, Jean-Pierre stressed that this achievement shouldn't mark the culmination of Biden's efforts. "Yes, it was pivotal that we achieved this milestone [in 2022]. It took three decades to achieve bipartisan legislation, and the president duly signed it. But we require more. What we've accomplished is insufficient. That's our conviction. It's simply inadequate."
