President Joe Biden utilized a social media platform on Wednesday to advocate for gun storage regulations, a ban on “high capacity” magazines, and the option to hold firearm manufacturers accountable for the illegal use of guns. Additionally, he called for a ban on “assault weapons” and the implementation of universal background checks.
It’s time we increase funding for law enforcement agencies to solve crimes faster.
It’s time we establish universal background checks, require safe storage, and end immunity for the gun lobby.
It’s time to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines like we did before.
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 12, 2024
During Biden’s time in office, he has consistently advocated for the ability to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the criminal use of firearms. This was a central aspect of his gun control platform when he ran for president. For example, during a campaign event in South Carolina on February 24, 2020, Biden mentioned gun manufacturers and stated, “I’m going to take you down.”
This statement came after he discussed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which shields gun manufacturers from baseless lawsuits when the firearms in question were legally produced and sold. While campaigning in Las Vegas on February 19, 2024, Biden promised to work towards repealing the PLCAA in order to expose gun makers to potential legal action.
He said it was a “mistake” to give “gun manufacturers … a loophole that does not allow them to be sued for the carnage they are creating,” adding, “The first thing I’m going to do as president is work to get rid of that, and it’s going to be hard.”
