Biden asked on Friday “who the hell needs an assault weapon” with up to “100 rounds?”
Topline
In his first public comments on gun violence in the wake of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, President Joe Biden this week questioned the need for high-capacity assault weapons, including the high-power rifle used in the deadly massacre that left 18 people dead, though Democrats’ efforts to ban assault weapons and enact other gun control measures seem all but certain to continue falling flat in the face of heavy GOP pushback.Key Facts
Biden called on congressional Republicans to “fulfill their obligation to keep Americans safe” in a Saturday post on X, formerly known as Twitter, vowing to “continue doing everything in my power to end this gun violence epidemic.”
Speaking at a campaign fundraiser Friday night, Biden also asked, “who the hell needs an assault weapon that can hold, in some cases, up to 100 rounds?” NBC News reported, appearing to reiterate his calls for an assault weapons ban.
Despite the calls for a ban, the effort faces heavy pushback from congressional Republicans and gun advocacy groups, including the National Rifle Association, a major lobbying organization strongly opposed to sweeping gun control legislation, while some right-wing lawmakers have argued instead for legislation to curb mental health issues and to limit gun access to people deemed dangerous.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), widely considered one of the most moderate Republicans in Congress, stopped short of supporting an assault weapons ban this week, showing her support instead for measures to ban “very high capacity magazines,” joining Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) to oppose a full assault weapons ban—more than a dozen states ban high-capacity magazines, according to gun safety group Everytown.
Other measures aimed at mental health have more recently come into the spotlight following a slate of shootings this year, while several state initiatives to limit gun access, including California’s assault weapons ban, have failed, with a judge ruling last week California’s ban is unconstitutional.
