There are pivotal moments that shape our experiences as parents. For me, December 14, 2012, stands out starkly—the day when 20 children aged six and seven were tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Although I didn’t directly suffer any loss that day, the grief and fear resonated deeply with me, as it did for countless parents. I vividly recall where I was when the news broke: sitting on my couch, my newborn peacefully napping on my chest, while my almost six-year-old son awaited pickup from kindergarten. The thought of my son being one of those victims haunted me. I can’t imagine any parent of young children not feeling the same way.
As the details of the tragedy emerged—how the shooter struggled with mental illness, had unfettered access to firearms, and wielded an AR-15-style Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle capable of firing 45 rounds per minute—we all hoped our government would finally take meaningful action to address the gun crisis in our country.
Indeed, many have attempted to address this issue. Barack Obama, who was president at the time, made efforts to pass sensible gun laws aimed at curbing access to firearms that cause mass violence. However, numerous proposals have been thwarted by lawmakers who appear more aligned with their NRA affiliations than with safeguarding American lives.
The current president has only fueled this harmful mindset. Since Sandy Hook, over 2,300 lives have been lost to mass shootings. This is a national crisis, and we must treat it as such.
As we approach the upcoming presidential election, I seek a candidate who will confront the gun violence epidemic head-on and act swiftly to make progress.
I’ll admit, Joe Biden wasn’t my first choice for the Democratic nomination; my reservations stemmed from differing policy views. However, I am committed to voting blue, regardless of my initial preferences.
What’s encouraging is Biden’s strong stance on gun violence prevention. Recently, he engaged in a passionate exchange during a campaign event where a man accused him of wanting to take away his guns. Biden firmly responded that such claims were baseless and clarified that his focus is on banning assault weapons, not infringing upon Second Amendment rights.
Biden’s assertiveness in this conversation is refreshing. It’s about time we see a serious candidate express righteous anger over the gun crisis in America.
His commitment to gun reform is deeply rooted in a long history of advocacy for sensible policies. As noted by Sam Foster on the Giffords blog, “Vice President Biden has the longest gun safety track record of any of the 2020 Democratic candidates.”
Here are some highlights of Biden’s gun-related accomplishments:
- He contributed to the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, which prohibited machine gun manufacturing.
- He was instrumental in passing the Brady Bill in 1993, mandating background checks for gun purchases.
- He led the charge alongside Senator Feinstein for the 1994 assault weapons ban.
- Following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Obama appointed him to spearhead a task force focused on gun safety reform.
If elected, Biden aims to restrict access to firearms for those who should not possess them and to reinstate a ban on the assault-style weapons that have been prevalent in recent mass shootings—a ban that lapsed in 2004 and remains unaddressed.
His gun violence prevention platform, which you can read in full here, includes:
- Banning the manufacture and sale of “assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”
- Increasing regulations on existing assault-style weapons.
- Implementing a buyback program for assault weapons and reducing stockpiling.
- Mandating background checks for all gun sales.
- Closing loopholes in federal background checks.
- Restoring the Obama-era policy that prevented individuals with mental health issues from obtaining firearms (a policy reversed by Trump).
- Ending online gun sales.
These proposals reflect common-sense measures aimed at keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those most likely to cause harm.
Public support for stricter gun laws is growing. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 60% of Americans believe gun laws should be tougher, an increase from previous years.
As we consider the next president, it’s crucial to elect someone who will take this matter seriously. I refuse to live in a world where I fear for my children’s safety in everyday situations, whether at school or in public spaces.
As Biden stated in an April 2019 New York Times op-ed, “If we cannot rise to meet this moment, it won’t just be a political failure. It will be a moral one.” He continued, “It’s unacceptable that children learn to fear mass shooters alongside their ABCs.”
It is indeed unacceptable that this is the reality we face today. I hope for meaningful changes in gun legislation soon, and that whoever is elected president will commit to making those changes a priority.
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Summary
This article discusses Joe Biden’s strong stance on gun violence prevention, highlighting his extensive history of advocating for sensible gun laws. Despite not being the author’s first choice for the Democratic nomination, Biden’s firm approach to banning assault weapons and implementing strict regulations resonates with many parents concerned about safety. The article urges the next president to take gun violence seriously to protect families and communities.