Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after ‘tragic and senseless’ spate of July 4 shootings
President Joe Biden has issued a fresh appeal for a ban on assault weapons after dozens of people were killed or wounded in mass shootings in the lead-up to Independence Day celebrations. Five people were shot dead and two boys, aged two and 13, were injured when a gunman armed with an AR-15-style assault rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest opened fire in Philadelphia’s Kingsessing neighbourhood at around 8.30pm on Monday night, according to authorities. Hours later, three died and 14 were injured in four separate shootings in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden were also grieving “tragic and senseless shootings” that had occurred in recent days in Baltimore, Lansing, Chicago and Wichita in a July 4 statement. He said it was “within our power” to ban AR-15-style weapons and high-capacity magazines while also enforcing safe storage of guns and enacting universal background checks. Mr Biden also marked the one year anniversary of a mass shooting that claimed the lives of seven people at an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Illinois. In the wake of the shooting, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Highland Park mayor Nancy Rotering had worked with gun control advocates to ban assault rifles and high capacity magazines in the state. “Their achievement will save lives. But it will not erase their grief,” Mr Biden said. “And as we have seen over the last few days, much more must be done in Illinois and across America to address the epidemic of gun violence that is tearing our communities apart.” Mr Biden called on other states to follow Illinois’ lead and for Republican lawmakers in Congress to “come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reform”. In a speech to the National Education Association on Tuesday, Mr Biden said gun reform was urgently needed to protect children and teachers. “As you know all too well, educators now find themselves in the frontlines of gun violence,” Mr Biden told the association. “Congress needs to step up, pass common sense gun safety laws to protect our kids and educators, and by the way, arming teachers is not the answer.” According to the Gun Violence Archive, 21,782 Americans have been killed in shootings halfway through 2023. The US has experienced 346 mass shootings, when four or more people are shot, and 26 mass murders, according to the archive. Last June, Congress passed its first new gun control legislation in 28 years in the wake of twin tragedies in Buffalo, New York, where 10 Black shoppers were murdered, and the fatal shooting of 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Read More Trump marks Independence Day by sharing vulgar attack on Biden and ominous 2024 warning Fort Worth shooting – live: At least 17 shot across four shootings in Texas city on eve of July 4 Philadelphia mass shooting – live: Fifth victim found dead after gunman, 40, opened fire in Kingsessing The Texas shooter in a racist Walmart attack is going to prison. Here's what to know about the case Biden renews call for assault weapons ban after spate of July 4 shootings Watch as Joe Biden celebrates 4th of July at the White House
2023-07-05 12:16
Explainer-How is extreme weather testing China's climate resilience?
BEIJING Dramatic swings between extreme heat and intense rainfall are testing China's ability to cope with increasingly wild
2023-07-05 11:50
North Korean satellite wasn’t advanced enough to conduct reconnaissance from space, Seoul says
South Korea’s military says the satellite North Korea failed to put into orbit in May wasn’t advanced enough to conduct military reconnaissance from space as it claimed
2023-07-05 11:48
Teresa Giudice slammed by 'RHONJ' fans for inappropriate 4th of July post: 'It’s always about her'
Teresa Giudice dressed up in an all-blue outfit to celebrate the 4th of July
2023-07-05 11:47
'Stop faking it': Internet slams Mauricio Umansky as he shares family photo on 4th of July amid split rumors with Kyle Richards
Mauricio Umansky recently shared a series of photos that showed him celebrating the Fourth of July with Kyle Richards and their family amid rumors of their separation
2023-07-05 11:46
Internet abuzz with Kanye West's exes Kim Kardashian and Chaney Jones' matching outfits at 4th of July bash: 'This is catastrophic'
Kanye West's exes Kim Kardashian and Chaney Jones wore the same outfit to Michael Rubin's star-studded Fourth of July party
2023-07-05 11:29
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating deputies' use of force captured on body camera footage
Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies have been taken off field duty as their department investigates force they used when a couple was being detained at a Southern California grocery store last month, the county sheriff's department said.
2023-07-05 11:19
Revelers across the US brave heat and rain to celebrate Fourth of July
Revelers across the nation braved heat and heavy downpours to take part in Fourth of July activities Tuesday, celebrating the nation’s founding with parades, fireworks and hot dog eating contests at a time of lingering political divisions
2023-07-05 11:15
China's services activity softens as recovery falters - Caixin PMI
BEIJING China's services activity expanded at the slowest pace in five months in June, a private-sector survey showed
2023-07-05 10:57
China Services Activity Growth Softens in Fresh Sign of Weakness
Expansion in China’s services industry slowed in June from the previous month, according to a private survey, providing
2023-07-05 10:53
Shares in K-Pop agencies fall after report of antitrust probe
SEOUL Shares in K-Pop management agencies fell on Wednesday, after South Korea's antitrust watchdog began investigations into any
2023-07-05 10:20
‘Smallville’ actor released from prison for role in sex-trafficking case tied to cult-like group
The television actor Allison Mack has been released from a California prison near San Francisco
2023-07-05 09:56
