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On average, almost 40,000 Americans are killed by gun violence annually. That’s over 100 people each day. The United States is the worldwide leader in both gun deaths and mass shootings.
Though not a hot button topic at the moment, sensible gun control featuring an assault weapons ban and universal background checks is an issue of concern to the majority of Americans. In fact, 70% of all voters support an assault weapons ban. (Morning Consult, August 2019).
Surprisingly, Donald Trump purported to be amongst them on at least two occasions:
- “Trump Stuns Lawmakers With Seeming Embrace of Comprehensive Gun Control” (NY Times 2/18/18)
- “We need meaningful background checks and stricter gun laws” ( BBC News, 11/11/19)
But, not unlike his response to the COVID-19 pandemic, what Trump says and what he actually encourages are diametrically opposed. Having received $30 million from the NRA for his 2016 campaign, he needs their support to be re-elected and he has become the NRA’s best friend. To quote him, “There’s no political appetite for an assault weapons ban.” (Morning Consult August 2019).
Pushing the NRA’s extreme Guns Everywhere agenda, the Trump administration has:
- Watered down criminal background check criteria
- Enabled persons with severe mental illness to pass background checks
- Narrowed the definition of a fugitive, allowing more people evading the law to acquire guns
- Encouraged passage of bills to gut silencer safety laws and concealed carry reciprocity that override individual state gun laws
- Not so subtlety stirred the pot of racism, hatred and armed right wing violence (Everytown for gun safety)
On the contrary, Joe Biden’s plan and pledge is to:
- Ban the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high capacity magazines
- Regulate possession of existing assault weapons
- Establish a weapons buy back program
- Reduce stockpiling of weapons
- Require background checks for all gun sales
- Close the gun show and online gun sales loopholes
- End online sale of firearms and ammunition
- Hold gun sellers and manufacturers accountable
What Can You Do?
- Register to vote if you have not done so
- Request a mail-in ballot (consider it an insurance policy; you can still choose to vote in person)
- Vote for Joe Biden November 3rd, and remind your friends and family to vote too
Joe Biden’s Plan to Lead America
Learn more about Biden’s position on gun control: https://joebiden.com/gunsafety/