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President Joe Biden on Sunday assailed GOP lawmakers in his response to the Allen, Texas, mass shooting that left nine people dead, saying Republicans cannot continue to respond to the nation’s plague of gun violence “with a shrug”
A gunman opened fire at shoppers and employees at Allen Premium Outlets in Allen on Saturday afternoon, killing eight people and injuring seven others. The suspected shooter was killed by an Allen Police Department officer who was on unrelated assignment at the mall.
Biden said he is praying for the victims and their families after what he called “the latest act of gun violence to devastate” the United States.
“Too many families have empty chairs at their dinner tables,” Biden said in a White House statement. “Republican Members of Congress cannot continue to meet this epidemic with a shrug. Tweeted thoughts and prayers are not enough.”
Chip Somodevilla/Getty
Biden said that if Congress sent him a bill that banned assault weapons, he’d sign it immediately.
“Once again, Congress must send me a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” the president said. “Enacting universal background checks. Requiring safe storage. Ending immunity for gun manufacturers. I will sign it immediately. We need nothing less to keep our streets safe.”
Once again, Congress must send me a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Enacting universal background checks. Requiring safe storage. Ending immunity for gun manufacturers.
I will sign it immediately. We need nothing less to keep our streets safe.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 7, 2023
Newsweek reached out via email to representatives for the Biden administration.