{O/C} One week after that deadly Texas school shooting, and U.S. President Joe Biden has vowed to keep a lid on deplorable mass shootings in America.
In a thought-provoking speech to his nation, he not only implored Congress to act on time, but also used the sobering backdrop of recent bloody massacres as he made a pitch for tighter gun laws amid most Republicans' sloth.
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JOE BIDEN, U.S. President: After Columbine (1999 High School massacre), after Sandy Hook, after Charleston, after Orlando, after Las Vegas, after Parkland, nothing has been done. Enough, enough, enough.
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Sighs of desperation from a visibly soulful President speaking out against the latest spate of gun violence that has morphed into bitter loss of life.
The racist May 14 Buffalo supermarket shooting let the genie out of the bottle. Another 18-year-old who apparently had an axe to grind shot 19 students and two teachers to death at a Texas elementary school for Latinos just one week later.
That served as the impetus for amplifying urgent demands for stricter gun limits.
Biden likened the fight about curbing gun violence to a war -- having more children killed by guns than soldiers.
Notwithstanding the relentless political encumbrances, Biden said it's about time the Senate contributed to the daring battle.
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How much more carnage are we willing to accept? How many more innocent American lives must be taken before we say "enough"? Enough. It's time for the Senate to do something.
We need a minimum of 10 Republican senators. I support the bipartisan efforts that include a small group of Democrats and Republican senators trying to find a way.
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While he pleaded with legislators to act he also called on Americans to turn their wrath into action.
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And if Congress fails, I believe the majority of you will act to turn your outrage into making this issue central to your vote.
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Knowing gun control entails bills that will come into their own at times of need, Democrats on Thursday signed off on gun laws that would lift the age limit for purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 initially to 21.
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But that had one Republican brandishing his gun to illustrate how his pistols would be rendered unhelpful under the Democrats' package.
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GREG STEUBE, Congressman (R-Florida):
It comes with a 15-round magazine. Here's a 7-round magazine which would be less than what would be lawful if this bill were to come off. It doesn't fit. So this gun would be banned.
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