President Joe Biden vowed to reduce gun violence as he warned the country of a dangerous increase in the number of killings during the summer season.
“We have targeted actors who commit dangerous acts in our communities and our country“President Biden said during a speech at the White House as he unveiled a comprehensive government program.
President Biden called for “zero tolerance” for fraudulent arms dealers who smuggle weapons from one city to another.
“We will make sure you can not sell death and chaos in our neighborhoods”, he said.
President Biden’s administration will authorize the use of $ 350 billion from federal incentive packages to fund police departments in areas that have recorded increased crime.
The president said there are currently many people who are able to buy guns but should not be able to do so. He called for a review of the rules for the sale of weapons.
Asked by VOA what the government could do to change the minds of those who would shoot others with guns, President Biden mentioned mental health programs and educating children from an early age. He said that housing should not be denied to those who have suffered in prison for their crimes and have been released, while he said that ways should be found for the re-engagement in their neighborhoods of those released from prison, “Giving them some hope and opportunity.”
Shortly before the president’s speech, Attorney General Merrick Garland said prosecutors across the country would work with local partners “to create an immediate plan to address the escalation of violent crime that usually occurs during the summer.”
President Biden unveiled the anti-crime plan after meeting with a bipartisan group of mayors, community activists and law enforcement officials.
“The president was very interested. He wanted to know the strategies that were working on the ground, in our communities, in our countries. “, said New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. “We had a conversation about healthy response, which the President described in his proposal today together with Attorney General Garland, and the response is really built on models that have worked in all of our communities.”
Many Republicans are taking advantage of the rising crime situation to criticize the left over their alleged policies against the police.
“Biden wants to blame guns and gun owners instead of the Democrats’ open embrace of the ‘Defund the Police’ movement and soft approach to crime.”, said through a statement released Wednesday the leader of the Republican opposition in the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy.
