United States President Joe Biden signed the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades on Saturday, a bipartisan compromise that seemed almost unimaginable until a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.
Joe Biden gave his consent to the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades that seemed almost unimaginable before the recent Texas elementary school shootings where 19 students and two teachers lost their lives. Salvador Ramos, an 18-year old killed 21 people, including 19 children, at Robb Elementary School in Texas on 24 May.
“Time is of the essence. Lives will be saved,” he said in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. He delivered his consolations to the families of shooting victims he has met and said, “Their message to us was, ‘Do something.’ How many times did we hear that? ‘Just do something. For God’s sake, just do something.’ Today we did.”
The US president came into action just before leaving Washington for two summits in Europe. The House of Representatives moved this bill quickly on Friday to stem gun violence, a day after a Supreme Court ruled that broadly expanded gun rights.
Biden said, “Today we say, ‘More than enough’. It’s time, when it seems impossible to get anything done in Washington, we are doing something consequential.” while addressing the Americans.
Why is the Gun Violence Bill Important?
The legislation will make background checks more stringent for minors purchasing guns, prevent more violent offenders from possessing firearms, and assist states in implementing red flag laws that make it simpler for law enforcement to seize weapons from serious offenders.
The majority of its $13 billion costs would support mental health initiatives and benefit educational institutions, which have been targeted in mass shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, Parkland, Florida, and other places.
“I know there’s much more work to do, and I’m never going to give up, but this is a monumental day,” said the president, who was joined by his wife, Jill for the signing ceremony just before departing for a summit of the Group of Seven: the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan in Germany.
