Joe Biden

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Elected Leaders and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Applaud President Biden's Additional Actions to Stem Gun Crime

February 04, 2022

Community leaders and gun violence prevention advocates are applauding President Biden's new efforts to fight gun crime and keep our communities safe, which he unveiled yesterday with Attorney General Merrick Garland in New York City at NYPD Headquarters alongside Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul.

The new measures being taken by the Biden Administration earned praise for addressing key issues driving gun violence, including the targeting of interstate gun trafficking, the launching of a National Ghost Gun Enforcement Initiative, and redoubling the White House's commitment to investing in putting more cops on the beat and in proven community violence intervention programs like the one the President toured in Queens.

This plan builds on the steps the President has taken since the beginning of his Administration to stop the flow of guns being used in crimes, bolster law enforcement, and increase funding for community-based solutions to make our neighborhoods safer – including through violence interruption programs, expanding economic opportunities, and reducing recidivism.

See what they're saying below:

New York City Mayor Eric Adams: "I want to take my hat off to the President. For far too long, we did not have a 9-11 approach to gun violence. What we did around terrorism when international terrorists came to destroy the peacefulness in our country, we responded accordingly. City, state, and federal agencies came together. We are not doing that with the terror that is playing out in cities across America including NYC. What I'm saying to the President today is we need funding for the ATF, $1.5 billion, to make sure they can do their jobs to stop the flow of guns. We need help with our crisis management team. He's going to announce the proposal of having Congress give them an additional $500 million, and then we need a combination of coming together to go after the flow of guns, ghost guns, and the other problems we are facing." [Pix11, 2/3/22]

"@POTUS is here because he knows what the American people want: justice, safety and prosperity. And they deserve every bit of it. And he wants to end the gun violence in our city and our country. A future built on equality and opportunity." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul: "Gun violence is not just a problem for New York City or New York State. It's a national crisis. Proud to be working with @POTUS, @NYCMayor, and our state and national partners to get illegal guns off our streets, make our communities safer, and save lives." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

NYPD Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell: " Today, in addition to visiting NYPD headquarters and pledging support to the men and women of law enforcement, the President committed to substantive action. From creating a gun trafficking strike force here in New York City, to launching a National Ghost Gun Enforcement Initiative, to cracking down on the "Iron Pipeline," these efforts are essential to our intelligence-driven approach to eradicating gun violence on New York City streets. There is a need for all of us – law enforcement, elected officials, community leaders, clergy and the public – to join together to rebalance justice with fairness. The time for action is now to ensure a safe city for our children, neighbors and brave police officers." [Statement, 2/3/22]

First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD Edward A. Caban: "While discussing the vital work of eliminating gun violence during his visit to NYPD HQ, @POTUS gave a standing ovation to @NYPD32Pc Officer Sulan for his role in preventing further harm and irreparable trauma on the night Detectives Rivera and Mora were murdered. Thank you." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan: "I'm glad that President Biden took the time today to highlight the urgent need for increased funding for state and local police… There is clearly a growing bipartisan consensus that putting more investment into police and public safety isn't just a good idea, but absolutely critical for keeping our citizens safe... I will continue to do everything I can to work across the aisle and convince them to do so." [Statement, 2/3/22]

U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-NY): "I commend @POTUS and @NYCMayor for standing in solidarity with our communities on the frontlines of the fight against crime. We will get through this — and we'll do it together." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

New York Attorney General Letitia James: "Today, I met with @POTUS and other New York leaders to discuss how we can fight the gun violence epidemic in New York. I look forward to working with this administration to protect our communities and get dangerous firearms off our streets." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

U.S. Conference of Mayors: "The U.S. Conference of Mayors has strongly supported sensible gun safety legislation since 1968. We commend @POTUS for meeting with @NYCMayor today to share his administration's strategy to combat gun violence in partnership with America's mayors." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

U.S. Conference of Mayors President and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez: ""We appreciate President Biden's commitment to collaborating with city leaders to combat the national spike in crime and provide much-needed federal resources and capabilities. Mayors have remained steadfast: we cannot tolerate this surge in crime across America's cities. We must increase funding for our police. We must work with district attorneys, law enforcement officials, and federal partners to protect public safety and to enforce the law. No exceptions. No excuses. Today's announcement of more federal actions to reduce crime is welcomed news, and we pledge to continue working together with federal and state partners." [Statement, 2/3/22]

National League of Cities CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony: "Everyone deserves to feel safe in the community they call home. NLC strongly supports the President's budget request to increase funding for community violence interrupter programs and other public safety grants. We urge Congress to quickly pass the FY 2022 Appropriations to provide the needed additional funding and resources to help local governments combat the rise in violence in many communities across the country. We also applaud the U.S. Department of Justice's announcement to take new actions to stem the flow of firearms used to commit violence and support local law enforcement partners in efforts to combat gun crime." [Statement, 2/4/22]

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer: "Thankful to @POTUS for making public safety & gun violence a priority with a focus on community intervention & constitutional policing. Our city's many gun violence prevention efforts need the boost of federal partnership & that's why I join in the call for Congress to fund @POTUS 's proposals ASAP." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot: "I welcome the Administration's actions on reducing gun violence, including policies that I have been advocating for such as personnel, resources to combat violent crime, illegal gun reduction and community investments. Thank you @POTUS for acknowledging the importance of coordination across all levels of government and across multiple jurisdictions. Chicago is proud to partner with you to tackle this complex issue facing our nation." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, President of the African American Mayors Association: " Black mayors applaud the efforts of the Administration to curb violence in communities across our country. We have long advocated for and implemented practical solutions to foster community-centered policing that keeps all Americans safe. The Biden administration will help bolster our efforts by reducing the interstate flow of guns used in crimes, investing in proven violence interventions, expanding support services for young adults, and more – all while keeping the community at the focal point." [Statement, 2/3/22]

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock: "I applaud @POTUS for taking action on rising crime in our nation. We each deserve to live in safety, and anyone who threatens our sense of security is harming not just the people they directly affect – but all of us." [Tweet, 2/4/22]

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: "Public safety must take priority. I was a police officer for 31 years; in that time, I saw the effects of gun violence on our community firsthand. I commend @POTUS 's commitment to ending gun crime nationwide by providing cities with much-needed resources to protect our citizens." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed: "We're partnering w/ @POTUS & @VP on solutions to gun violence in our communities. In doing so, the Justice Dept. is working w/ state & local law enforcement to address the most significant drivers of violence, including getting repeat gun violence offenders off of our streets." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe: "The steps he's proposing to take, some of them will have a direct effect on this wave of gun violence, targeting interstate trafficking of handguns." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson: "Prevention is the most effective strategy and we are committed to: Prohibiting ghost guns; Expanding funding for violence prevention; and Implementing facility-based safety plans." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

New York State Senator Brad Hoylman: "Wonderful news from President Biden. I'm proud to have led the fight to ban Ghost Guns in New York, but without help nationally we can't stop the stop the flow of these illegal guns to our streets." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Florida Senator Linda Stewart: "This week is National Gun Violence Survivors Week & in Orlando, our community knows first-hand the impact of gun violence. We must continue to work to #HonorWithAction those we have lost & the courageous survivors impacted by this Public Health Crisis!#endgunviolence" [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez: "Proud to stand with @POTUS, @NYCMayor, @NYPDPC and my colleagues affirming our commitment to ending gun violence. With murders and shootings down last year in Brooklyn, we will continue to target the drivers of crime while partnering with communities to keep them safe." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Milwaukee County Executive David C. Crowley: "This is the kind of leadership needed to address the root causes of gun violence. The President is using the tools at his disposal to tackle the epidemic of gun violence by directing historic levels of funding to expand community policing & community violence interventions. These are neighborhood-based programs proven to combat gun violence. We should be investing more in them to deliver meaningful change on gun violence for families who have demanded action for years. While the President will continue doing everything in his power to make our communities safer, Congress also needs to do its part. It's long past time for Congress to pass universal background checks, ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close loopholes to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and repeal the liability shield for gun manufacturers." [Thread, 2/3/22]

Fred Guttenberg: "I understand gun violence. My daughter Jaime was murdered in the Parkland school shooting and my son Jesse who was also there will forever have the permanent scars. Thank you @POTUS for using your executive authority, in the absence of Senate action, to fight gun violence." [Tweet, 2/3/22]

Brady: United Against Gun Violence "Today, Brady applauds the Biden-Harris Administration and U.S. Department of Justice for building on its Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime with the announcement of new actions to address firearms trafficking, to support local law enforcement and investments into community-based solutions. Key among these new actions is a directive to prioritize accountability for gun dealers who criminally sell or transfer firearms, a needed action to address the supply of crime guns and evidence of the importance of Brady's Gun Store Transparency Project and associated work on improving gun dealer inspections. Brady applauds these new actions and urges the Administration to continue emphasizing preventing gun violence in all of its forms by addressing both the supply of crime guns and illegal firearms trafficking as well as investing in community violence interventions to help heal communities and prevent violence." [Statement, 2/3/22]

Everytown for Gun Safety: "Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown's grassroots networks, lauded actions announced by President Joe Biden as he heads to New York City with Attorney General Merrick Garland, to stand alongside leaders from New York, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayors Against Illegal Guns member New York City Mayor Eric Adams. While leaning in on federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships to crack down on gun violence and gun trafficking, the President gave particular focus to ghost guns, the fast growing gun safety threat in the country. He committed to vigorously enforce a forthcoming federal rule that will stop the proliferation of ghost guns through a new Ghost Gun Enforcement Initiative that will prioritize federal charges against those who commit crimes with ghost guns, new training for prosecutors on how to handle ghost gun cases, and the designation of regional ghost gun leads around the country." [Statement, 2/3/22]

Joseph R. Biden, WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Elected Leaders and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Applaud President Biden's Additional Actions to Stem Gun Crime Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/354396

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