Biden touts administration's record on gun control, pushes again for ban on assault weapons

President Joe Biden joined gun control activists Tuesday to promote more initiatives to combat gun violence and trumpeted his administration's tougher gun laws.

Biden's planned remarks at the advocacy group Everytown's Gun Safety University conference in Washington, D.C., came hours after his son Hunter was convicted on three counts in his federal gun trial. fire in Delaware.

The president did not mention his son or the case during his speech Tuesday afternoon.

“Look, folks, you helped fuel a movement that is making this cause a reality,” Biden said. “Especially the young people who demanded that our nation do better and protect us all, who protested, who organized, who voted, who ran for office and, yes, who marched for their lives. From my point of sight, today is to celebrate you.”

He touted new FBI data that shows overall crime, including violent crime and murder, declined in the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.

MORE: Latest FBI data shows 'historic' drop in crime: Garland

“The year before I became president, the homicide rate saw the largest increase on record. Last year, we saw the largest decrease in homicides in history, and rates continue to rise. falling faster than ever,” he said. .

Biden later said that fighting gun violence had been “a passion of mine for a long, long time,” saying he understood the pain of losing someone.

“I give you my word. I know how it feels [like], that black hole when you get that phone call. It feels like a black hole in your chest and you're sucked into it. Just showing up here and all the work you've done takes courage, because it reminds you of the moment you received that phone call,” the president said.

During his speech, Biden cited several gun control initiatives by his administration, including changing federal law to make gun trafficking and straw purchases a federal crime and strengthening the firearms background checks for persons under 21 years of age.

“Since the law was passed and implemented, the FBI has stopped more than 700 firearm sales to people under 21, and approximately 20,000 unlicensed firearms dealers must now obtain a license to conduct background checks,” the president said.

Biden calls for assault weapons ban: 'This time we actually have to do something'

Biden noted that there is still a way to go, as thousands of innocent lives are lost to gun violence each year.

The president said, in part, that it was time again to “ban assault weapons,” something he has called for in the past – including during the State of the Union address. This year.

“Who in God's name needs a magazine that can hold 200 rounds? Nobody,” Biden said Tuesday.

ABC News' Fritz Farrow contributed to this report.

Biden touts administration's record on gun control, pushes again for assault weapons ban, originally published on abcnews.go.com