President Joe Biden marked the 12th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy by urging Congress to take swift action on gun control.

Biden released a statement on Dec. 14, calling for stronger measures such as universal background checks and an assault weapons ban, while highlighting gun control groups like Moms Demand Action and Giffords, as Breitbart reports, doing so even as his term is nearing its end.

On Dec. 14, 2012, a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, killing 20 children and six adults. The tragedy left an indelible mark on the nation and sparked a renewed debate over gun control laws.

This year, as the nation remembered the victims of the attack, Biden used the occasion to press for further reforms in a five-paragraph statement. In his remarks, the president highlighted organizations like Moms Demand Action and Giffords, which formed after Sandy Hook to advocate for stronger gun laws.

Biden referred to these groups as grassroots movements born from the tragedy, though he did not mention their connection to former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who has provided significant financial support to them.

The president also pointed to the bipartisan gun control bill he signed in 2022, but did not go into specifics about its provisions.

Biden’s call for action was clear. “Do something,” he urged Congress, emphasizing the importance of enacting stronger gun control measures.

Details of Biden's Gun Control Proposals

The president’s statement called for several legislative actions, including universal background checks, a red flag law, gun storage regulations, and a ban on assault weapons, specifically citing the type of firearm used in the Sandy Hook attack.

The push for an assault weapons ban is one of Biden's central goals. He has often referenced the Sandy Hook shooting as a pivotal moment in his gun control advocacy.

However, Biden did not address the fact that the gun used in the 2012 massacre was legally purchased, stolen from its lawful owner, and then used in the attack. This omission has raised concerns among critics of broader gun control measures.

Crime Statistics and Debate Over Gun Laws

Moreover, Biden did not discuss the fact that California, which already has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, saw a troubling rise in active shooter incidents in 2021 and 2023. This raises questions about the effectiveness of certain measures being proposed at the national level.

As part of his broader remarks, Biden repeated claims that homicides and crime rates had decreased under his presidency. However, these assertions have been contested.

According to Breitbart News, the FBI revised crime statistics in October 2024, revealing a 4.5% rise in violent crime during Biden's time in office.

Gun Control Advocacy and Resistance in Congress

Despite this, Biden’s call for gun control remains unwavering. He has long argued that more stringent gun laws are necessary to protect American communities from gun violence.

The president’s push for reform is supported by many gun control advocates, who see the Sandy Hook anniversary as a potent reminder of the urgency of the issue.

On the other hand, critics of new gun laws argue that existing regulations, such as those in California, are not being properly enforced. They contend that issues like gun violence need to be addressed holistically, considering factors beyond just stricter gun laws.

Biden's efforts to implement gun control have faced resistance in Congress, particularly from Republicans, who argue that such measures infringe on Americans’ Second Amendment rights.

Biden's Continued Push for Action

Nevertheless, Biden has remained firm in his belief that more can and should be done to prevent tragedies like Sandy Hook from happening again.

As the nation reflects on the loss of 26 lives in Newtown, Biden’s push for further action on gun control is sure to remain a central issue as the political debate over the Second Amendment continues.