Statement on the Establishment of a White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention To Be Overseen by Vice President Kamala D. Harris

Every time I've met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones, and I've met with so many throughout the country, they all have the same message for their elected officials: "Do something." It's why, last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands and have taken more executive action than any President in history to keep communities safe. But as I've said before, while these are important steps, they are just the first steps toward what is needed.

That's why I'm announcing additional steps forward, with the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris, to build upon these measures and keep Americans safe. The Office will include Stefanie Feldman, who has capably led my administration's gun violence prevention efforts and been a trusted aide for more than a decade, alongside leading experts Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox whose own lives and families have been touched by the tragedy of gun violence. They have turned their pain into purpose and dedicated their careers to being advocates for change; that important work will continue as they join my team in these new roles."

I'll continue to urge Congress to take commonsense actions that the majority of Americans support like enacting universal background checks and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. But in the absence of that sorely needed action, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along with the rest of my administration will continue to do everything it can to combat the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our families, our communities, and our country apart.