Biden taps Harris to lead new federal office of gun violence prevention

“The new Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a critical role in implementing President Biden’s and my efforts to reduce violence to the fullest extent under the law, while also engaging and encouraging Congressional leaders, state and local leaders, and advocates to come together to build upon the meaningful progress that we have made to save lives,” the vice chairman stated in a press release.

“Our promise to the American people is this: we will not stop working to end the epidemic of gun violence in every community, because we do not have a moment, nor a life to spare,” she stated.

Greg Jackson, govt director of the Community Justice Action Fund, and Rob Wilcox, the senior director for federal authorities affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, will report to Feldman as deputy administrators of the new office.

For years, gun teams have pleaded with Biden to take this motion, which advocates see as a concrete step ahead as gun security laws stays stalled in Congress. Activists have argued that such an office will assist the administration coordinate on gun coverage points throughout the federal authorities, whereas additionally permitting the White House to present management on the problem.

“Every time I’ve met with families impacted by gun violence as they mourn their loved ones, and I’ve met with so many throughout the country, they all have the same message for their elected officials: ‘do something,’” Biden stated in a press release. “It’s why, last year, I signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands, and have taken more executive action than any President in history to keep communities safe. But as I’ve said before — while these are important steps, they are just the first steps toward what is needed.”

The timing of the White House announcement comes as Biden’s presidential reelection marketing campaign heats up, presenting the president and Harris with a recent alternative to generate enthusiasm amongst youth voters. Beyond the most recent motion on weapons, Biden additionally delivered wins for each local weather and immigration advocates this week.

“This is a great day for youth activism and a big step forward for gun safety,” stated Natalie Fall, Executive Director of March For Our Lives. “We’ve called for this office for so many years because we know it will be a critical tool in our toolbox to end gun violence. The federal government has significant resources, in talent and treasure, to tackle the root causes of gun violence. For the first time, we have significant funding at the federal level to tackle gun violence and dozens of evidence-based programs that have been deployed over the years. We need someone to coordinate all of that and advise the President on how to cut through the red tape and take urgent action on gun violence.”