An office of gun violence prevention is being assembled by the White House, in a federal first.
The plans haven’t been officially announced yet, but two sources inside the White House have confirmed the plans. The office fulfills a promise of President Biden’s 2024 election campaign, coordinating efforts to form meaningful guidance for states on the issue of gun violence. It will likely be announced on Friday at an official event.
“The creation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the White House will mark a turning point in how our federal government responds to an epidemic that plagues every state and every community in America,” said Kris Brown, president of the gun safety group Brady, which has advocated for the office since 2020.
“Tackling this epidemic will take a whole-of-government approach, and this new office would ensure the executive branch is focused and coordinated on proven solutions that will save lives.”
Firearms are the single most common cause of death of children under 11 in the United States, over even car accidents. So far this year, 220 children under 11 have been killed by cars, as well as 1,050 children between 12 and 17. The firearm mortality rate for minors in the U.S. is 5.6 per 100,000 people, the highest rate in the world. Canada trails a distant second, at 0.08 deaths to firearms per 100,000 minors. Even counties at war don’t match us.
92% of Democrats, 32% of Republicans, and 61% of independents want more legislation to address gun violence, according to an AP poll conducted last summer. Together, that makes up a majority of the population. But GOP lawmakers have fought against every type of firearms control for decades while being paid by the NRA. The new office of gun violence will be able to take a hard look at that, as well, and address gun violence both on the individual and extremist levels.
