President Joe Biden reiterated his call for an assault weapons ban following the latest mass shooting at a Walmart in Virginia and said he’s ‘sick’ the US continues to sell semi-automatic weapons.
“The idea that we still allow the purchase of semi-automatic weapons is sick. It’s just sick. It has no redeeming social value. Zero. None. stop at a fire station in Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The chance of a ban making its way through Congress is next to impossible now that Republicans control the House of Representatives and any legislation must get 60 votes to break a filibuster in the Senate. The president, however, said that wouldn’t stop him from trying.
“I will try. I will try to get rid of the assault weapons,” he said.
The remarks come after a series of mass shootings pushed the issue of gun reform to the national forefront.
The murder in Virginia and a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Colorado have renewed calls from supporters for tougher gun laws, such as banning assault weapons like the AR-15.
Biden has been unable to muster the bipartisan support needed to get a bill through to his office.
Biden also made brief comments about negotiations for a contractual agreement between the railroads and unions to help avert a strike, but said he couldn’t comment on what’s stopping each side from achieving to an agreement.
“I haven’t engaged directly yet,” Biden said, though his team remains in contact with all parties involved.