President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris unveiled a groundbreaking initiative on Friday, introducing the inaugural Federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The aim of this historic endeavor is to combat the pervasive issue of gun violence that tragically claimed the lives of over 48,000 individuals in the United States just last year.
During a momentous event at the White House, President Biden asserted, “None of these measures in isolation will singularly resolve the pervasive gun violence crisis. Yet, when combined, they will undoubtedly preserve lives and ignite a profound sense of urgency and commitment throughout our nation.”
Vice President Harris will take on the pivotal role of overseeing this office, which is designed to establish a coordinated federal response, reminiscent of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), connecting survivors of gun violence with essential mental and physical health services. Additionally, the office will meticulously explore executive actions that President Biden can implement to curtail the prevalence of shootings.
“In so many ways, we are propelled by the incredible work of the students leading this movement,” Vice President Harris remarked, standing alongside Maxwell Frost, a representative from Florida and the nation’s first Generation Z congressmember. “Our work expands as a direct result of what you are accomplishing.”
In 2020, less than a year into the Biden-Harris administration, the United States witnessed an alarming surge in homicides, with Black Americans facing an elevated risk of falling victim to firearm-related violence compared to other racial groups. Furthermore, that same year, firearms surpassed motor vehicles and cancer to become the leading cause of death among children and teenagers in the U.S. Tragically, suicide, particularly among the nation’s Black youth, has also seen a concerning rise.
Heading this crucial office will be Stefanie Feldman, a dedicated advisor to President Biden on gun policy. Serving as deputy directors are Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox, both of whom have led substantial national prevention efforts through the Community Justice Action Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety, respectively.
This isn’t the first time the Biden administration has taken on the pressing issue of gun violence. In his previous role as vice president, Joe Biden was an outspoken advocate for stricter firearms regulations. Since assuming the presidency, he has employed executive actions to regulate homemade firearms, colloquially known as “ghost guns.” Last year, President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which bolsters background checks and fortifies mental health programs.
President Biden’s advocacy extends to reinstating the national assault weapons ban and expanding background checks, with the unprecedented spike in gun homicides in 2020 significantly elevating community-based violence prevention as a priority for his administration.
Maxwell Frost, who previously served as the organizing director of March for Our Lives, a student-led gun control group born out of the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, expressed the significance of this moment: “Today the country sees us at the White House with a president who’s taking action.”
The establishment of the Federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention marks a pivotal step towards addressing the complex issue of gun violence in the United States, offering hope for a safer and more secure future for all citizens.
