President Biden to Launch the First-Ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Tomorrow, during a significant event at the Rose Garden, President Biden will unveil the inaugural White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which will be spearheaded by Vice President Kamala Harris. This new office is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the President’s previous executive actions aimed at curbing gun violence. By establishing this dedicated office, the administration is taking a proactive step toward addressing the urgent and critical issue of gun violence in America.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention will play a pivotal role in coordinating federal funding for community-based violence intervention programs. Additionally, it will focus on developing grant packages and policies that support these initiatives. Recognizing the pressing need for mental health support, the White House believes that a coordinated effort can effectively deploy crucial mental health services to communities affected by gun violence, ultimately fostering healing and resilience.

This announcement arrives at a time when President Biden and other advocates for gun safety have faced significant hurdles in Congress, where efforts to pass reasonable gun laws have stalled. The statistics are alarming; according to Pew, in 2021, a staggering 54% of all gun-related fatalities in the U.S. were suicides (26,328), while 43% were homicides (20,958), as reported by the CDC. The remaining deaths included accidental shootings (549), officer-involved incidents (537), and those with undetermined circumstances (458), underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to this crisis.

In a statement shared with PoliticusUSA, President Biden emphasized, “I’ll continue to urge Congress to take commonsense actions that the majority of Americans support, such as implementing universal background checks and banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. However, in the absence of these necessary measures, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and my administration will do everything within our power to combat the growing epidemic of gun violence that is devastating families, communities, and our nation.”

President Biden has dedicated significant time listening to families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, whether in tragic incidents in Monterey Park, Buffalo, or Uvalde, or during private meetings in the Oval Office. He hears their urgent message for more action and is committed to addressing the concerns of young people across the nation who are advocating for a future free from the fear of gun violence. White House Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary Stefanie Feldman reiterated this commitment during a call with reporters ahead of the announcement, stating that the President agrees with the youth and is taking action.

Vice President Harris shares this sense of urgency, shaped by her experiences grieving with families affected by gun violence and engaging with students nationwide who demand the right to safety. During her outreach efforts, she has asked students how many participated in shooter drills during their schooling, prompting hundreds of hands to raise in response. Deputy Assistant to the President and Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President Kristine Lucius highlighted the reality that young leaders understand the pressing need for action to address what is now the leading cause of death among American children.

A senior administration official outlined that initial priorities for the new office will include “turbocharging the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and previously announced executive actions.” Their goal is to ensure maximum effectiveness of the new law and actions taken thus far. Additionally, they will explore creative avenues within existing authority to identify further executive actions that could be pursued to enhance public safety.

The office will also focus on coordinating federal resources for communities and individuals affected by gun violence, aiming to provide comprehensive support in the aftermath of such tragedies. For those wondering whether this initiative will lead to meaningful change, the office has a mandate from the President to explore further actions in collaboration with states and cities to advance additional gun safety legislation and bolster community violence intervention efforts. They also aim to provide necessary support following mass shootings, which have long-lasting implications for the mental health and economic well-being of affected communities.

To facilitate these efforts, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention will convene state leaders to push forward essential state legislation. This collaboration may involve working with legislators and governors to address state laws that currently hinder effective responses to enhanced background checks now in place.

The selection of Vice President Harris to lead this office is based on her extensive background in state and local governance, having served as the San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General. During her campus tour, she has engaged with thousands of students, who consistently elevate gun violence as a top priority at every event.

Stefanie Feldman will be appointed as the Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, joined by Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox, who will serve as Deputy Directors. Greg Jackson has a proven track record, having led one of the leading community violence prevention advocacy organizations in the nation.

This new office and its staff will be funded through annual appropriations for the White House, with the Bipartisan Safer Community Act providing resources to ensure states are effectively implementing red-flag laws designed to prevent gun violence.

President Biden remains committed to pushing Congress to enact legislation that includes a ban on assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, requirements for safe firearm storage, and universal background checks for all gun sales, as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence.

As of now, it remains uncertain whether any Republican lawmakers will attend the announcement event. Nonetheless, Vice President Harris made a powerful statement, asserting, “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.”