Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been a prominent advocate for gun safety policy, will lead the newly established White House office of gun violence prevention, a significant move long requested by gun safety proponents.
President Joe Biden is set to formally announce this new office during a Rose Garden event, where advocates and lawmakers have been invited.
Stefanie Feldman, a longtime aide to Biden with over a decade of experience in gun policy, will head the office, as per a White House statement.
Harris stressed the importance of safety, stating that every person and child deserves the chance to fulfill their potential without fear and trauma from gun violence. She emphasized the urgency in addressing the gun violence epidemic, and the new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a vital role in implementing Biden’s efforts to reduce violence within the bounds of the law. Harris also called upon Congressional leaders, state and local officials, and advocates to collaborate on building upon the progress made in saving lives.
Gun safety advocates have long urged for such an office to coordinate gun policy issues across the federal government and demonstrate White House leadership on the matter, especially with gun safety legislation facing hurdles in Congress.
According to a June 2023 Pew Research Center survey, a growing number of Americans view gun violence as a significant issue. Six-in-ten adults consider it a major problem, a 9-point increase from spring 2022. The survey also indicates that 62% of Americans expect gun violence to rise in the next five years.
President Biden reiterated the urgent need for action, acknowledging the plea from families impacted by gun violence to “do something.” While he highlighted past efforts, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and executive actions, he emphasized that more steps are required.
The Office of Gun Violence Prevention builds upon these historic actions, with a focus on implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The White House noted that this legislation has already made progress in keeping firearms away from those under 21, prosecuting firearms traffickers, improving access to mental health services in schools, and investing in community violence interventions.
The Biden-Harris Administration has also taken numerous executive actions to address gun violence, such as limiting access to dangerous weapons, targeting rogue gun dealers and traffickers, bolstering law enforcement resources, and addressing the root causes of gun violence.
The Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has proposed a rule to enhance background checks and prevent gun sales to criminals. Biden continues to urge Congress to take further actions, including banning assault weapons, mandating safe firearm storage, implementing universal background checks, eliminating gun manufacturers’ immunity from liability, and advancing the Safer America Plan, which focuses on community policing and gun violence prevention and intervention.
