Joe Biden has renewed his call for Congress to ban assault rifles, including the model used in the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The incident occurred during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet after a gunman shot at him from a nearby rooftop.
Biden, speaking at a convention in Las Vegas, emphasized the need to outlaw assault weapons like the AR-15, citing the weapon’s deadly history in mass shootings, including those involving children. This demand comes as Biden returned to the campaign trail for the first time since the attack, following a brief pause in campaign activities.
During his speech at the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) convention, Biden highlighted the divisive nature of current politics but also criticized Trump for spreading misinformation. He pointed out the record low Black unemployment rate achieved under his administration and reiterated his commitment to gun safety legislation.
Gun rights have been a key issue for Biden, who previously played a role in passing an assault weapons ban in 1994. Despite facing opposition from Republicans, he signed significant gun safety legislation during his first term as president in 2022.
Meanwhile, at the Republican National Convention, speakers rallied behind Trump, with a focus on protecting gun rights. A senior adviser to the Trump campaign assured attendees that Trump would appoint pro-gun judges to safeguard the Second Amendment if re-elected.
Trump himself has vowed to undo Biden’s gun rules if elected, maintaining his stance on gun rights even after the assassination attempt. The motive behind the gunman’s actions, Thomas Matthew Crooks, remains unclear, prompting investigations by both the Secret Service and Republican leaders in Congress.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the attempted assassination, the debate over gun control and political rhetoric continues to be at the forefront of the upcoming election.
