Biden condemns ‘sick’ deadly school shooting in Nashville

President Joe Biden again called on Congress to ban assault weapons and take other steps to address gun violence after another deadly school shooting, this time in Nashville, Tennessee. 

“We have to do more to stop gun violence,” the president said on Monday. “It’s ripping our communities apart, ripping at the soul of the nation. And we have to do more to protect our schools so they aren’t turned into prisons.

“It’s sick, you know. We’re still gathering the facts of what happened and why. There are a number of people who are not going to — that did not make it, including children. And it’s heartbreaking.” 

Three students and three adults were killed on Monday at a private grade school and the suspected shooter — a 28-year-old woman — was killed by police officers, according to the Associated Press. 

Authorities are investigating whether the shooter — who police said was armed with two assault-type rifles and a pistol — had a connection to the school, according to AP.

As he has after previous mass shootings, Biden again pleaded for Congress to ban sales of assault weapons and take other steps such as requiring universal background checks, measures which are opposed by most Republicans, who, from January, hold a House majority. 

Last year, when Democrats controlled the House and Senate, Congress passed the first nationwide gun-control legislation in 30 years, implementing changes to improve the national background check system for gun purchasers under 21, and close the so-called boyfriend loophole that allowed dating partners convicted of domestic abuse to buy guns. But further gun restrictions are unlikely to pass the GOP-controlled House.

Biden earlier this month issued an executive order aimed at increasing background checks on gun purchases. 

By March 27, there have been 129 mass shootings in the US this year alone, according to data collected by the Gun Violence Archive.

Michael R Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP, helped launch Everytown for Gun Safety, which advocates universal background checks and other gun control measures.

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