House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday said that that the lower chamber will propose legislation banning assault weapons in the coming weeks following the deadly Uvalde school shooting that killed 21 people.
Speaking at an event regarding gun violence prevention in her hometown of San Francisco, Pelosi told the crowd a bill tackling certain types of rifles would come after the House considers red flag laws.
On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee is also preparing to push a slate of anti-gun bills, including proposals designed to keep weapons from potentially violent people.
”And then, as we get through those, we will be having a hearing and marking up the assault weapon ban,” Pelosi said. ”So, we just are trying to hit it every possible way.”
Last week, a shooter identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, killing 19 children and two teachers.
“Texans across the state are grieving for the victims of this senseless crime and for the community of Uvalde. Cecilia and I mourn this horrific loss and we urge all Texans to come together to show our unwavering support to all who are suffering,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a statement.
President Joe Biden all American flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and public buildings to honor the victims of the Uvalde school shooting.
On Thursday night, the president urged lawmakers to pass more gun control laws and pled for action to stop the ongoing horror of mass shootings.
“As a nation, we have to ask when in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? When in God’s name will we do what we all know in our gut needs to be done?” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris also called on leaders to take action while speaking at an Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.
“Enough is enough,” she said. “As a nation, we have to have the courage to take action and understand the nexus between what makes for reasonable and sensible public policy to ensure something like this never happens again.”
