'Enough' — Biden appeals for new gun laws in the wake of mass shootings

A somber President Joe Biden appealed to Congress Thursday to pass federal gun laws in the wake of mass shootings at an elementary school in Texas, a grocery store in Buffalo and a medical office in Tulsa.

“Enough,” Biden said, standing behind a podium at the end of a red carpet lined with white candles. "It’s time for each of us to do our part. It’s time to act.”

Biden called for lawmakers to restore a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, or at least increase the minimum purchase age for assault weapons from 18 to 21. Both the shooters at the elementary school in Texas and the supermarket in Buffalo were 18 years old.

"Don't tell me raising the age won't make a difference," Biden said.

The president urged Congress to strengthen background checks, pass “red flag” laws, repeal immunity for gun manufacturers and address mental health issues.

So far this year, the Gun Violence Archive reports 231 mass shootings in the U.S. that have killed four or more people. That’s an average of more than one mass shooting per day.

“How much more carnage are we willing to accept?” Biden asked.

Biden, who traveled Sunday to Uvalde, Texas, with First Lady Jill Biden, to meet with families who lost children in the shooting at Robb Elementary School, recounted the story of an 11-year-old girl who said she smeared her friend’s blood on herself and played dead so the gunman wouldn’t return and shoot her.

Biden pointed out that guns are the No. 1 killer of children in the U.S. He said more kids than on-duty cops and active duty military are killed by guns.

“This isn’t about taking away anyone’s rights,” Biden said. “It’s about protecting children. It’s about protecting families.”

He asked Americans to imagine what it must be like to lose a child or to lose a parent or to see someone die in front of their eyes.

“Unfortunately, too many people don’t have to imagine that at all,” Biden said. “This time we must actually do something.”