Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2023

December 6, 2023

Yesterday, in Austin and San Antonio, at least six people were killed and several more injured by a gunmanâleaving families devastated, and communities forever changed. And just hours ago, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence, and the community is still awaiting information on casualties.

Jill and I join citizens across our Nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence. We are also grateful for the courageous work of law enforcement, who risked their own safety to bring an end to these deadly shooting sprees. Federal law enforcement officials are on the ground working with State and local law enforcement in both States, and I have directed that all necessary support be provided to assist in the investigations and support these communities.

This year alone, our Nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence. This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal.

For all the action we have taken since I've been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more. But we cannot do more without Congress. Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national "red flag" law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence. And together, we must do more to prevent more families, and more communities like Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, from being ripped apart by gun violence.

NOTE: The statement referred to Emmanuel Pop Ba, Sabrina Rahman, Catherine Short, Lauren Short, Shane M. James, Sr., and Phyllis James, who were killed in the shootings in Austin and San Antonio, TX, on December 5; Sgt. Val Barnes, police officer, Austin Independent School District, who was wounded in the shooting in Austin; and Shane M. James, Jr., suspected gunman in the shootings in Austin and San Antonio.

Categories: Statements by the President : Shootings in Texas and Nevada.

Names: Barnes, Val; James, Phyllis; James, Shane M., Jr.; James, Shane M., Sr.; Pop Ba, Emmanuel; Rahman, Sabrina; Short, Catherine; Short, Lauren.

Subjects: Criminal background check procedures, strengthening efforts; Gun control efforts; Gun violence, prevention efforts; Law enforcement officers, service and dedication; Nevada, shooting in Las Vegas; Texas, shootings in San Antonio and Austin.

DCPD Number: DCPD202301090.

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