President Joe Biden offered condolences Tuesday following a fatal mass shooting in a Colorado grocery store and urged Congress to tighten gun laws in response to the killings.
“I don’t have to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take sensible steps that will save life in the future,” Biden said at the White House, calling for federal laws to expand background checks and ban attacks on weapons and high-performance magazines.
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Boulder Police identified Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, as a suspect in the Colorado shooting that killed 10 people. He was arrested Monday afternoon at the King Soopers grocery store and charged with ten first degree murder.
“I want to say to the community that I am so sorry that this incident happened,” said Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold at a press conference on Tuesday morning. “We will do everything in our power to ensure this suspect has a thorough trial and we are conducting a thorough investigation.”
Police respond at a King Sooper grocery store where a gunman opened fire on March 22, 2021 in Boulder, Colorado. Ten people were killed in the attack, including a police officer.
Chet Strange | Getty Images
In his remarks, Biden said he was briefed on the shooting by Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray. The president added that he had spoken to Colorado Governor Jared Polis and that he would be kept informed by local law enforcement officials.
Biden noted that among the dead was 51-year-old police officer Eric Talley, who first arrived at the site of the shooting.
“Every time an officer leaves his home and puts on this badge, will the family member who just unconsciously said goodbye to miracles get that call, the call his wife got?” Said Biden.
He said he would not speculate on the alleged killer’s motivations “until we have all the facts” – but stressed that lawmakers should not hesitate to take action.
Biden advocated reintroducing bans on offensive weapons and high-capacity magazines and called on the Senate to “immediately” include two House-approved bills to address loopholes in the background check system.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said earlier Tuesday that he was determined to bring this legislation to the ground.
“This Senate will debate and address the gun violence epidemic in this country,” said Schumer. “Today our hearts are with the people of Colorado and all whose lives have been touched by gun violence.”
Biden also signed a proclamation on Tuesday ordering flags to be hoisted on half-staff in the White House, on military posts, on naval ships and on all public buildings.
It’s the second time in less than a week that Biden has called for the flags to be lowered following a mass shooting after eight people were killed in spas in the Atlanta area.
Prior to Biden’s remarks, former President Barack Obama issued a statement calling on “those who have the power to fight this gun violence epidemic”.
“A pandemic that happens once in a century cannot be the only thing that slows mass shootings in this country,” said Obama’s statement.
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