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Joe Biden Calls For Ban On Assault Rifles After Colorado Mass Shooting

Joe Biden Calls For Ban On Assault Rifles After Colorado Mass Shooting

The US President wants the Senate to introduce 'common-sense steps that will save lives in the future'.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Joe Biden has called for a ban on assault weapons after one was reportedly used in the Colorado mass shooting that saw 10 people killed.

A 21-year-old suspect has been charged with 10 counts of murder as authorities allege he opened fire on people inside and outside a grocery store in Boulder.

According to CNN, it's the seventh mass shooting in seven days in the US.

As a result, the US President wants to ban some of the deadliest weapons to ensure mass casualty events like these can't continue.

PA

He said the US Senate should 'immediately pass' two bills that would close loopholes in firearm background checks.

"I don't need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common-sense steps that will save lives in the future," the President said.

"This is not and should not be a partisan issue ... this is an American issue. It will save lives, American lives. We have to act.

"We can ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines in this country once again.

Congress banned assault weapons for 10 years back in 1994 and Joe Biden believes a similar rule could be brought in if politicians on both sides work together.

"I got that done when I was a senator. It passed," Biden said. "It was a law for the longest time. And it brought down these mass killings. We should do it again."

Republicans have long been opponents on efforts to change the rules around gun ownership and the National Rifle Association (NRA) would put up one hell of a fight.

The NRA even celebrated a judge overturning a ban on possession of assault weapons and 10-round magazines in Boulder, Colorado, saying it was technically against the law.

Six days later a man was able to high an assault weapon to kill 10 people.

PA

Pressure will be on the Senate to address the two measures passed in the US House of Representatives this month.

They focused on enhancing background checks and closing a loophole that allowed a gunman to open fire on parishioners at a church in Charleston back in 2015.

According to Yahoo, a majority of Americans are keen to have background checks done on everyone trying to purchase a weapon or ammunition, including ones sold at gun shows.

A senior aide from Barack Obama's Administration told CNN: "Nothing frustrated President Obama more than his failure to achieve gun reform, but Biden may have the chance to do something Obama just couldn't do.

"Biden is not seen as threatening to some people in a way Obama sadly was."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: joe biden, News, US News