President Biden has issued a video statement during National Police Week, emphasizing the importance of supporting law enforcement and stating that the answer to addressing issues is not to defund the police. However, he also expressed his commitment to gun control measures.
In a significant win for gun control groups, President Biden is expected to announce the creation of the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention. White House staff secretary Stefanie Feldman, a trusted Biden aide with expertise on firearms issues, is leading this effort. This move comes as gun control advocates have been urging the president to take executive action on firearms, including declaring a national emergency on gun violence.
The new office of gun violence prevention will involve representatives from gun control groups, including the executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, Greg Jackson, and the senior director for federal government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, Rob Wilcox. Their involvement highlights the collaborative approach being taken to address the issue of gun violence.
Gun control groups have been pushing for various measures, including the creation of a federal office of gun violence prevention, a $5 billion fund for community violence intervention programs, enforcement of the ban on foreign-made weapons, tighter regulations on firearm marketing, gun safety education campaigns, and the implementation of the Safer Communities Act. These groups have emphasized the devastating impact of gun deaths and injuries on communities across the country, particularly affecting Asian American, Black, and Brown communities.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by President Biden, stands as a significant step in gun control legislation, incentivizing states to pass red flag laws and expand background checks for 18- to 21-year-olds. However, Congress has shown no indication of further enacting gun control legislation supported by the president.
The creation of the federal office of gun violence prevention not only allows President Biden to contrast his agenda with the Republican-controlled House but also aims to please a key constituency group as he prepares for his 2024 re-election campaign.
As President Biden continues to prioritize both law enforcement and gun control, the creation of this new office serves as a proactive step towards reducing gun violence and protecting communities across the country..
