Top House Democrat Demands Vote on Gun Control Legislation ‘Immediately’

Following President Joe Biden’s appeal to support his ‘assault’ weapons ban after the Nashville shooting, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has demanded an “immediate” vote on gun control legislation by the Republican-led House. Jeffries called for common sense gun curbs, including Biden’s “assault” weapons ban and universal background checks, in a letter to House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

He specifically called on McCarthy to bring for a vote the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and the Assault Weapons Ban, both of which passed the House under Democrat control in the last Congress but failed in the Senate.

The President has reiterated his call to ban “assault” weapons following the Nashville shooting. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that the Nashville incident was the latest in 130 mass shooting incidents so far this year.

In response to Biden and Jeffries’ appeal for gun curbs, McCarthy noted that legislation alone can’t solve the problem, and there needs to be a severe conversation about dealing with mental illness in the country.

Many Republicans see Biden’s call for an “assault” weapons ban as a part of a Democrat agenda to restrict gun ownership, and prefer tighter school security and mental health resources for combating shootings.