Republicans on Joe Biden Call for Assault Gun Ban on Firearms

Republicans and conservatives berated President Biden after his prime-time speech on Thursday, in which he called for a revived ban on assault weapons and declared that the Second Amendment is “not absolute” as the US struggles to contain a spate of mass shootings to get.

In a 17-minute speech, the president first insisted he respect the “culture and tradition and concerns” of gun owners before turning to a Democratic wish-list of firearms control measures.

“We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. And if we can’t ban assault weapons, then we should raise the purchase age from 18 to 21,” the president said.

While some Republican congressmen have expressed a desire to find a compromise on gun violence legislation, Biden’s preferred policy would not clear the Senate due to overwhelming opposition from the 50-seat GOP conference.

Republicans have repeatedly insisted that the proposals championed by the president and his Democrats are either unconstitutional or would be ineffective in preventing mass shootings, and many of them took to Twitter to corroborate Biden’s comments Thursday night.

“President Biden had an opportunity to unite the country tonight,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wrote. “He didn’t. He lashed out at anyone who didn’t share his gun control agenda. He then urged voters to vote for more Democrats. His worst speech yet.”

“Over the past week we have seen the President and Democrats in the House of Representatives show a total lack of understanding for guns and disregard for our rights. The Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens must be defended,” said Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas). Posted.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), another staunch gun rights advocate, called Biden’s comments “unconstitutional.”

“Joe Biden’s unconstitutional gun control speech was riddled with ill-informed left-wing talking points,” the conservative said tweeted. “Let me get one thing straight – the Second Amendment IS NOT GOING AWAY!”

Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-NY) simpLy wrote: “Shall not be violated!”, a reference to the Second Amendment text, which reads: “A well-regulated militia, necessary to the security of a free state, shall protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms, didn’t get hurt.”

“Joe Biden wants to ban ‘assault weapons’ and ‘high-capacity magazines,’ but Democrats refuse to prosecute violent crime in Democratic cities across the country and refuse to protect your children with armed security at school. Those same Democrats are protected by armed guards on a daily basis,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) claimed in a post.

During an appearance Thursday on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) attacked Biden, accusing him of trying to disarm “law-abiding citizens.”

“With that speech tonight, he has once again chosen to double down on hard left, divisive politics,” Cruz said. ‘Listen, I was in Uvalde last week, the day after the shooting. I was there with local officials and with law enforcement and with family members. What happened in Texas is appalling.

“And everyone with a heart is horrified that 19 little boys and girls have been murdered, that two teachers have been murdered,” Cruz added. “And what are Joe Biden and the Democrats doing? They don’t come back and say, ‘Let’s stand behind law enforcement to stop criminals and protect our children.’ nope They immediately demagogue and say the solution is to take away their guns and disarm law-abiding citizens.”

Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk repeated this message on Twitter. Write: “The lines have just been drawn by the White House. Biden is coming for our guns. Time to get to work. Good luck Joe.”

Senators from both parties are involved in negotiations on legislation aimed at curbing a rise in gun crime. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has announced that if no agreement is reached by next week, he will hold show votes on two House-passed bills designed to expand background checks on potential gun buyers.

Both bills will not receive the required 60 votes to advance in the Senate due to Republican opposition.

On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would raise the legal age to purchase semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21 and ban the manufacture or possession of large-capacity magazines.

If this bill passes the House of Representatives, it will also fail in the Senate.