President Biden renews calls for gun control in wake of Allen, Tex., massacre

This weekend’s deadly massacre in Allen, Tex., drew condemnation from elected officials across the country and prompted President Biden to renew calls for gun control, even after recent mass shootings failed to result in action from lawmakers.

“Such an attack is too shocking to be so familiar,” Biden, a Democrat, said of Saturday’s shooting, in which nine were killed.

“Once again I ask Congress to send me a bill banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines,” the president added, rattling off other priorities in his statement.

Those included laws requiring universal background checks for gun buyers and safe storage for weapons.

Biden also pointed a finger at GOP lawmakers, who have long balked at cracking down on guns.

“Republican Members of Congress cannot continue to meet this epidemic with a shrug,” he stated. “Tweeted thoughts and prayers are not enough.”

From Austin to Washington, other politicians’ reactions followed familiar partisan lines.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, rejected calls for gun control, saying authorities should focus on mental health instead.

“We are working to address that anger and violence by going to its root cause, which is addressing the mental health problems behind it,” Abbott told “Fox News Sunday.” “People want a quick solution. The long term solution here is to address the mental health issue.”

The outlet mall massacre in Allen came just over a week after five were killed “execution-style” in Cleveland, Tex. The U.S. had seen 200 mass shootings this year as of Sunday afternoon, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

Beto O’Rourke, a Democrat who unsuccessfully challenged Abbott last year, vowed to maintain pressure on Republicans who have resisted gun control.

“We pray for the [victims’] families as we continue working to replace those in power with leaders who value the lives of our kids more than the profits of the gun lobby,” O’Rourke tweeted.

Polls consistently show strong voter support for universal background checks, with many backing an assault weapons ban, too.

Still, little action is expected from Washington — where Republicans control the House and Democrats lead the Senate by a thin margin — in the wake of the latest mass shooting.

Last year, Congress passed legislation with some gun reforms, such as tougher background checks for young gun buyers, though more strident measures have gone nowhere.

“We must keep working to end gun violence in America,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “We must keep working for stronger gun safety legislation.”

The Allen shooting barely registered on the Sunday political talk shows, leaving many lawmakers to confine their thoughts to Twitter.

“Heidi and I are praying for the families of the victims of the horrific mall shooting in Allen, Texas,” tweeted Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), who’s previously opposed gun control. “We pray also for the broader Collin County community that’s in shock from this tragedy.”