President Joe Biden has urged Congress to pass Guns Reforms legislation that would ban assault weapons, expand background checks, and hold gun manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by their products. His call comes as the nation faces a surge of gun violence that has claimed thousands of lives this year.

Biden has been a vocal advocate for gun control throughout his political career. In 2023, he signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided federal funding for mental health programs, school security upgrades, and red flag laws that allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from people deemed a threat to themselves or others. He also issued an executive order that aimed to close loopholes in the background check system and prevent the sale of ghost guns – untraceable weapons made from kits or parts.

However, Biden has acknowledged that his actions are not enough to address the root causes of gun violence and prevent future tragedies. He has repeatedly called on Congress to pass more comprehensive reforms, such as banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring background checks for all gun sales, and repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields gun manufacturers from liability lawsuits.

Biden’s appeal comes in the wake of a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, that killed 18 people and injured 13 others on Wednesday night. The gunman, who was later killed by police, used two semi-automatic rifles that he had legally purchased despite having a history of mental illness and domestic violence. The incident was one of the deadliest in U.S. history and sparked outrage and grief across the country.

Biden traveled to Monterey Park, California, on Saturday to meet with the families and community members affected by another mass shooting that occurred in January 2023. A gunman opened fire at a supermarket, killing 11 people and wounding nine others. The shooter used an AR-15 style rifle that he had bought online without a background check. Biden expressed his condolences and solidarity with the victims and praised their courage and resilience.

He also urged Congress to act swiftly and decisively to pass the gun control measures that he has proposed. He said that the majority of Americans support these reforms and that they are consistent with the Second Amendment right to bear arms. He said that he would not give up on his fight to end the epidemic of gun violence and make the country safer for everyone.

“We can’t wait any longer. We can’t accept this as normal. We have to act now,” Biden said. “We owe it to the people we’ve lost, to their families, to our children, and to ourselves.”