Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Announces New Measures to Address Gun Violence - April 11, 2022 | Factba.se

Kamala Harris

00:00:00 - 00:00:04 ()

Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon.

Kamala Harris

00:00:04 - 00:00:52 ()

President Joe Biden, members of Congress, members of our administration, friends, and fellow Americans: When gunfire rings out in a community, it brings fear and it brings pain to the victims, to those who love them, to the parents who tell their children to run into the bathtub when they hear gunfire on the street outside because it is the safest place in the home from a stray bullet. Gun violence brings pain to the entire community and, by extension, to the whole of society.

Kamala Harris

00:00:52 - 00:01:08 ()

As a prosecutor, I brought many perpetrators of gun violence to justice. But I knew, even after a successful prosecution, the hurt and the loss and the fear often still remained.

Kamala Harris

00:01:08 - 00:01:32 ()

To the survivors of gun violence who are here with us today, and to the friends and family members of those we have lost, I thank you for your incredible determination in the face of so much pain. And it is a deep honor to stand with you today.

Kamala Harris

00:01:32 - 00:01:41 ()

As we know all too well, our nation continues to be plagued by an epidemic of gun violence.

Kamala Harris

00:01:41 - 00:02:17 ()

The President has worked for decades to end this terror. For my whole career, addressing gun violence has been one of my top priorities -- first, as a courtroom prosecutor; then as the elected District Attorney of San Francisco, when we created a gun specialist unit to go after violent offenders; then as Attorney General of California, where we worked within our California Bureau of Firearms to investigate and seize firearms for those who unlawfully possessed them.

Kamala Harris

00:02:17 - 00:02:35 ()

I have seen firsthand how our nation's epidemic of gun violence has been driven by the prolification [sic] -- proliferation -- excuse me -- of guns in our communities and, increasingly in recent years, by the proliferation of ghost guns.

Kamala Harris

00:02:35 - 00:02:41 ()

Ghost guns can be purchased on the Internet and assembled at a kitchen table.

Kamala Harris

00:02:41 - 00:02:58 ()

They can be bought without a background check by people who otherwise would be legally prohibited from gun ownership -- domestic abusers, gun traffickers, individuals convicted of violent crimes, and even young children.

Kamala Harris

00:02:58 - 00:03:12 ()

Traditional guns are required to have serial numbers, which can help law enforcement identify a firearm that has been stolen from its lawful owner or found at the scene of a crime.

Kamala Harris

00:03:12 - 00:03:26 ()

Ghost guns have no serial numbers. They are practically untraceable, making it more difficult for law enforcement to hold to account those who use weapons to do violence.

Kamala Harris

00:03:26 - 00:03:39 ()

Because of how easy they are to access and how difficult they are to trace, ghost guns pose an especially grave threat to the safety of our communities.

Kamala Harris

00:03:39 - 00:03:58 ()

That is why, as a United States senator, I was proud to co-sponsor a bill to manufacture and -- end the manufacturing -- excuse me -- of sale of ghost guns. And it is why we are here today to announce new actions to get ghost guns off our streets and to protect our communities from gun violence. [Applause]

Kamala Harris

00:03:58 - 00:04:17 ()

The Department of Justice plays a critical role in addressing gun violence in our communities. And the actions we are taking today would not be possible without their partnership.

Kamala Harris

00:04:17 - 00:04:31 ()

So I'm proud to now welcome a leader who has spearheaded much of the Department's work on this important issue, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:04:31 - 00:04:40 ()

Wow. Thank you, Madam Vice President, Deputy Attorney General Monaco.

Joe Biden

00:04:40 - 00:05:30 ()

And, Mia, you're an incredible young woman. We spoke for a moment inside the Oval Office. And a lot of people here who have lost someone -- and too many here have lost someone -- know that no matter what the occasion, how celebratory or not it is, when you have to repeat it, you relive it like it just happened a moment ago. Your poise, your confidence, and your intellect are really impressive, honey. I mean, they really are. And, you know, I think most people here can tell you've gone through serious loss; that the best way to deal with it is to find purpose, and you found real purpose. And you are impressive.

Joe Biden

00:05:30 - 00:05:41 ()

And thank you for sharing your strength, for helping us remember your friend Dominic Blackwell and Gracie Muehlberger. You know, Dominic and Gracie's parents are with us today.

Joe Biden

00:05:41 - 00:06:09 ()

Are you prepared to stand up if -- I don't want to embarrass you, but would you stand up? [Applause] If you have a moment afterwards, maybe you can come into the Oval with me. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to talk to you.

Joe Biden

00:06:09 - 00:06:27 ()

Frank and Nancy, Bryan and Cindy, everyone here, as they say, feels your pain a little bit, particularly if they've suffered a serious loss. You've now joined a terrible fellowship of loss that many people have experienced.

Joe Biden

00:06:27 - 00:06:44 ()

There are too many survivors and advocates here for me to name everyone today, but let me say: The loss in this crowd is incalculable, but so is the strength -- so is the strength. I believe our nation will be safer for your bravery, and I really mean that.

Joe Biden

00:06:44 - 00:07:05 ()

Survivors like Mia and Manny, and Claudia -- a Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff who survived an ambush by a shooter with a ghost gun -- represent individuals and families all across this country whose lives have been forever changed by a ghost gun. Some made national headlines; many others did not.

Joe Biden

00:07:05 - 00:07:08 ()

Today, we honor your strength and your action.

Joe Biden

00:07:08 - 00:07:15 ()

A year ago this week, standing here with many of you, I instructed the Attorney General to write a regulation that would

Joe Biden

00:07:15 - 00:07:25 ()

would rein in the proliferation of ghost guns because I was having trouble getting anything passed in the Congress, but I used what we call "regulatory authority."

Joe Biden

00:07:25 - 00:07:29 ()

A year later, we're here. We keep that promise.

Joe Biden

00:07:29 - 00:07:42 ()

The gun lobby tried to tie up the regulators in paperwork for a long, long time. The NRA called this rule I'm about to announce, "extreme." "Extreme."

Joe Biden

00:07:42 - 00:07:54 ()

But let me ask you: Is it extreme to protect police officers? Extreme to protect our children? Extreme to keep guns out of the hands of people who couldn't even pass a background check? [Audience calls out "No"]

Joe Biden

00:07:54 - 00:08:07 ()

Look, the idea that someone on a terrorist list could purchase one of these guns is extreme? It isn't extreme; it's just basic common sense. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:08:07 - 00:08:24 ()

You know, if you buy a couch you have to assemble, it's still a couch. If you order a package, like this one over here, that includes the parts you need, the directions for assembling a functioning firearm, you bought a gun.

Joe Biden

00:08:24 - 00:08:42 ()

Take a look. Take a look at this. It comes in this package. You can see the picture down here maybe. This is the gun.

Joe Biden

00:08:42 - 00:08:42 ()

[Holds up upper and lower receivers of a handgun]

Joe Biden

00:08:42 - 00:08:56 ()

It's not hard to put together. A little drill -- hand drill at home. It doesn't take very long. Anyone can order it in the mail. Anyone.

Joe Biden

00:08:56 - 00:09:02 ()

And, folks, a felon, a terrorist, a domestic abuser can go from a gun kit to a gun in as little as 30 minutes.

Joe Biden

00:09:02 - 00:09:20 ()

Buyers aren't required to pass background checks. Because guns have no serial numbers -- these guns -- when they show up at a crime scene, they can't be traced. Harder to find and prove who used them. Meaning you can't connect the gun to the shooter and hold them accountable.

Joe Biden

00:09:20 - 00:09:38 ()

In fact, the ATF reports that they've been able to trace less than 1 percent -- less than 1 percent of ghost guns reported by law enforcement. And so it makes sense that police across the country are increasingly finding ghost guns at crime scenes.

Joe Biden

00:09:38 - 00:09:46 ()

And, by the way, ghost guns can be, quote, "rifles" -- essentially assault weapons as well. This is one version of the kit you can buy.

Joe Biden

00:09:46 - 00:10:08 ()

Last year alone, law enforcement reported approximately 20,000 suspected ghost guns to be -- to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. That's a tenfold increase in these ghost guns from 2016. Tenfold in five years.

Joe Biden

00:10:08 - 00:10:21 ()

These guns are weapons of choice for many criminals. We're going to do everything we can to deprive them of that choice and, when we find them, put them in jail for a long, long time.

Joe Biden

00:10:21 - 00:10:27 ()

Law enforcement is sounding the alarms. Our communities are paying the price. And we're acting.

Joe Biden

00:10:27 - 00:10:45 ()

Today, the United States Department of Justice is making it is illegal for a business to manufacture one of these kits without a serial number. Illegal. [Applause] Illegal for a licensed dealer to sell them without a background check. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:10:45 - 00:10:50 ()

And starting today, weapons like the one used at Saugus

Joe Biden

00:10:50 - 00:10:59 ()

High School and to ambush deputies with us to- -- that are here with us today are being treated like the deadly firearms they are.

Joe Biden

00:10:59 - 00:11:11 ()

And if somebody sells a ghost gun to a federally licensed dealer -- for example, a pawn shop -- that dealer must make the firearm and mark it with a serial number before reselling it.

Joe Biden

00:11:11 - 00:11:24 ()

All of a sudden, it's no longer a ghost; it has a return address. And it's going to help save lives, reduce crime, and get more criminals off the streets.

Joe Biden

00:11:24 - 00:11:29 ()

And this rule is only part of our strategy to go after ghost guns.

Joe Biden

00:11:29 - 00:11:40 ()

In February, the Department of Justice launched a nation -- a National Gun -- Ghost Guns Enforcement Initiative, intensifying our efforts to bring cases against those who use ghost guns illegally.

Joe Biden

00:11:40 - 00:11:56 ()

We're teaching investigators and prosecutors best practices -- how to build these cases -- and assigning a coordinator in each of the ATF field divisions to serve as the point person for helping federal, state, and local law enforcement go after ghost guns.

Joe Biden

00:11:56 - 00:12:04 ()

If you commit a crime with a ghost gun, expect federal prosecution, not just state. Expect federal prosecution. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:12:04 - 00:12:21 ()

This rule is an important step. It's going to make a difference, I promise you. And there are a lot of other things we know work to reduce gun violence and other violent crimes and save lives.

Joe Biden

00:12:21 - 00:12:31 ()

That's why I've put together a comprehensive strategy to supercharge what works while continuing to push Congress to act on sensible legislation to prevent gun violence.

Joe Biden

00:12:31 - 00:12:36 ()

In addition to today -- in addition to today's rule, we're working on four areas:

Joe Biden

00:12:36 - 00:12:56 ()

First, we're going after rogue gun dealers. The last time we had data on this was more than 20 years ago. Five percent of gun dealers sold 90 percent of illegal guns found at crime scenes. Five percent sold 90 percent.

Joe Biden

00:12:56 - 00:13:02 ()

These merchants of death are breaking the law for profit and selling guns that are killing innocent people.

Joe Biden

00:13:02 - 00:13:08 ()

We're cracking down on these gun dealers and the violent criminals they knowingly arm.

Joe Biden

00:13:08 - 00:13:23 ()

Second, we're disrupting illegal gun trafficking. Attorney General Garland has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize combatting gun trafficking that is moving guns across state lines and city boundaries.

Joe Biden

00:13:23 - 00:13:42 ()

The Justice Department is surging prosecutorial resources to help shut down these trafficking corridors, including the one known as the "Iron Pipeline" that funnels weapons -- [applause] -- from gun shops in states like Georgia to crime scenes up and down the East Coast.

Joe Biden

00:13:42 - 00:13:51 ()

Thirdly, we're funding strategies we know reduce gun crime: community policing and community violence interruption.

Joe Biden

00:13:51 - 00:14:06 ()

Look, I've said it many times: The answer is not to defund the police. It's to fund the police and give them the tools and training to support -- they need to be the partners and the protectors of our communities in need. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:14:06 - 00:14:32 ()

And I've already made clear that I want cities, states, counties, and Tribes to use some of the $350 billion we sent to them in the American Rescue Plan -- that I wrote in the first month -- to reduce gun violence, hire police officers for community policing, pay police overtime, purchase crime-fighting technologies. They were given the money. They can do it. Spend it. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:14:32 - 00:15:04 ()

And now, on top of that, I'm calling for additional funding to put police on the streets for community policing. One thing we learned in the middle of the crime wave not long ago: When the cop knows by first name who owns the corner drug store, who lives in the apartment above 6B, who the people who are -- the pastors of the churches, guess what? People talk to them. They trust them.

Joe Biden

00:15:04 - 00:15:26 ()

My son was the Attorney General in Delaware. He'd go around and make sure everybody, literally, in these high-crime-rate neighborhoods -- he'd give them his personal cell phone number and instructed all of the cops to do the same thing. And they did. And the crime plummeted. Not a joke. Look at the record. Not just my son, but all across the nation.

Joe Biden

00:15:26 - 00:15:32 ()

And for the [DEL: AFT :DEL] [ATF] to hire agents they need to help the fight gun crime -- more agents.

Joe Biden

00:15:32 - 00:15:40 ()

My budget funds body cameras and makes sure police work with our local communities and are accountable to the local communities.

Joe Biden

00:15:40 - 00:16:04 ()

We're also investing in community violence intervention. These are areas, local programs that utilize trusted messengers -- community members and leaders -- to work directly with people who are the most likely to commit a gun crime or become victims of gun crime -- get to them early. It works. [Applause] It works. They intervene before it's too late.

Joe Biden

00:16:04 - 00:16:18 ()

Fourth, we're funding jobs and training for young people, summer programs, drug treatment, mental health, housing availability, criminal justice reform, and reentry support for people coming home after incarceration.

Joe Biden

00:16:18 - 00:16:41 ()

Right now, you get let out of prison after serving your time; you get a bus ticket and 25 bucks. You end up under the same bridge you left 2, 5, 10 years earlier. If you serve your time, you qualify for Pell Grants, you qualify for housing, you're qualified for food, you qualify to get back into the community -- give them a fighting chance.

Joe Biden

00:16:41 - 00:17:04 ()

These are all demonstrated ways to reduce crime. And I'm strongly urging cities, states, counties, and Tribes to use the Rescue Plan funding we've sent them to do more in each of these areas. And they need to do more and do it quickly, before the summer, when crime typically surges around America.

Joe Biden

00:17:04 - 00:17:21 ()

So we're pushing in each of these areas, but none of this absolves Congress -- with all due respect to my members of Congress here; they're the wrong people I'd be talking to -- for their responsibility to act.

Joe Biden

00:17:21 - 00:17:28 ()

We need Congress to pass universal background checks. [Applause] Universal background checks.

Joe Biden

00:17:28 - 00:17:40 ()

And I know it's controversial, but I got it done once: Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:17:40 - 00:18:12 ()

I was getting criticized when I first passed this law when I was a senator. And guess what? I was down in southern Delaware -- they do a lot of hunting and fishing down there -- and I was walking up one of the creek beds. And a guy standing said, "You want to take my gun?" I said, "I don't want to take your gun." He said, "Well, you're telling me I can't have more than X number of bullets in a -- in a -- in my gun." And I said, "What -- do you think the deer you're hunting wear Kevlar vests? What the hell you need 20 bullets for? You must be a hell of a terrible shot." [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:18:12 - 00:18:28 ()

No, I'm serious. Think about it. Think about the mass shootings. As many as a hundred rounds. It's a weapon of war. It has nothing to do with recreation.

Joe Biden

00:18:28 - 00:18:34 ()

Outright banning the sale and possession of un-serialized guns.

Joe Biden

00:18:34 - 00:18:44 ()

Eliminate gun manufacturers' immunity from liability. They're the only outfit -- [applause] -- they're the only outfit in the country that is immune.

Joe Biden

00:18:44 - 00:18:51 ()

Imagine had the tobacco industry been immune to prost- -- to being sued. Come on.

Joe Biden

00:18:51 - 00:19:01 ()

In February, the families of nine of the Sandy Hook shooting victims achieved a settlement against the maker of guns that was used to kill their children.

Joe Biden

00:19:01 - 00:19:26 ()

The Sandy -- Sandy Hook folks are here. Do you -- will you be embarrassed if I ask you to stand up? [Applause] These folks right here did more to keep all of this going than anybody. We owe you, man. We owe you. [Applause] It never goes away, does it? God love you.

Joe Biden

00:19:26 - 00:19:43 ()

Look, this is incredibly rare because gun manufacturers have more immunity from liability than any other American industry, so they have never had to take responsibility for the death and destruction their products cause. But as part of this settlement, Remington agreed to release thousands of pages of internal documents.

Joe Biden

00:19:43 - 00:19:45 ()

Joe Biden

00:19:45 - 00:19:56 ()

And why -- here's why it's so important: Remember, it wasn't until we saw the internal documents that we really understood what cigarette manufacturers were doing to our kids and to our families.

Joe Biden

00:19:56 - 00:20:03 ()

Now we may begin to see what gun manufacturers are and are not doing when it comes to making and marketing their deadly products.

Joe Biden

00:20:03 - 00:20:23 ()

And, by the way -- it's going to sound bizarre -- I support the Second Amendment. You have a right. But from the very beginning, the Second Amendment didn't say you can own any gun you want, big as you want. You couldn't buy a cannon when, in fact, the Second Amendment passed. And certain people from the very beginning weren't allowed to purchase guns. It's nothing new. It's just rational.

Joe Biden

00:20:23 - 00:20:35 ()

Look, this should be just the start. We need to repeal the liability shield of gun manufacturers and finally hold them accountable for false advertising and many other things they do.

Joe Biden

00:20:35 - 00:20:36 ()

There's one more action I'm taking today.

Joe Biden

00:20:36 - 00:20:58 ()

It's only been -- and there's been only one Senate who has confirmed a director of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the Bureau's entire history. It used to be it didn't require Senate action when I first got to the Senate. But it's only been one since it became required confirmation.

Joe Biden

00:20:58 - 00:21:12 ()

This is an agency whose mission it is to protect communities from violent criminals, illegal trafficking of firearms, acts of arson and bombing, and a lot more. The mission of this agency isn't controversial, it's public safety.

Joe Biden

00:21:12 - 00:21:30 ()

Today, to lead and support the dedicated men and women of the [DEL: AFT :DEL] [ATF], I am proud to nominate Steve Del- -- Dettelbach -- excuse me, I mispronounced your name -- I just -- as Director of Bureau of Al- -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Joe Biden

00:21:30 - 00:21:53 ()

Steve is immensely qualified. He served the Department of Justice for two decades. He worked side by side to support the work of federal, state, and local law enforcement, including[DEL: AFT :DEL] [ATF] agents. And one of those was he -- a case he was -- personally tried as a U.S. Attorney, where the serial arsonist firebombed the courthouses and police headquarters in Mansfield, Ohio.

Joe Biden

00:21:53 - 00:21:59 ()

For his work, Steve got death threats, but the defendant got 60 years.

Joe Biden

00:21:59 - 00:22:11 ()

Steve also partnered with the community leaders and law enforcement to help prevent violent crime. He's worked with the police to combat domestic extremism and to take violent criminals off the street.

Joe Biden

00:22:11 - 00:22:15 ()

Steve's record makes him ready on day one to lead this agency.

Joe Biden

00:22:15 - 00:22:29 ()

And, by the way, in 2009, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him to serve as a U.S. Attorney. I look forward to working with the Senate to get him confirmed once again.

Joe Biden

00:22:29 - 00:22:59 ()

With what I've -- know about him and why I was enthusiastic about supporting him, I'd like to introduce my nominee to lead the [DEL: AFT :DEL] [ATF] to you -- all of you. Steve, come on up here. [Applause]

Steve Dettelbach

00:22:59 - 00:23:18 ()

Thank you, Mr. President; thank you, Vice President Harris, for your leadership in protecting the people of this nation and for placing your trust in me to become the next director of the ATF. Thanks. [Applause]

Steve Dettelbach

00:23:18 - 00:23:28 ()

Thank you, also, Deputy Attorney General Monaco, for all that you and Attorney General Garland continue to do at DOJ to make our nation safer.

Steve Dettelbach

00:23:28 - 00:23:37 ()

And thank you, Mia, for your incredible inspiration and courage not just here today, but all over this nation. Thank you. [Applause]

Steve Dettelbach

00:23:37 - 00:23:53 ()

I also want to thank my incredible, supportive, and often patient family who are here. My wonderful wife, Karil, and my children, Allie and David. Please. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:23:53 - 00:24:02 ()

When he's 16 years old, I want to draft him. [Laughter]

Steve Dettelbach

00:24:02 - 00:24:05 ()

Is there an agent in the house? [Laughter]

Steve Dettelbach

00:24:05 - 00:24:14 ()

But seriously, more -- most especially today, I want to thank the men and women of the ATF.

Steve Dettelbach

00:24:14 - 00:24:36 ()

You know, I started as a career prosecutor back in 1992. And I have spent three decades watching and admiring agents and staff at the ATF -- along with its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners -- as they work tirelessly and courageously to protect the American people.

Steve Dettelbach

00:24:36 - 00:24:58 ()

I would also say they work in anonymity, but that would not be completely true because, sadly, one thing I've also seen over the years is that the ATF often does work in anonymity when its agents are out there risking their lives to protect us only to be thrust into the public eye when it's time for criticism.

Steve Dettelbach

00:24:58 - 00:25:25 ()

You know, law enforcement is a very tough job, and no person and no agency is perfect. But the President is right: The men and women of the ATF and the public that they protect deserve better support from us. [Applause]

Steve Dettelbach

00:25:25 - 00:25:44 ()

I've seen firsthand the work that so many at the ATF do to protect us from violence. They're dedicated, they're professional, and they're effective. They don't write the laws; their mission every day is just to go out and enforce those laws and protect the public from a wide range of threats.

Steve Dettelbach

00:25:44 - 00:25:59 ()

When I was a U.S. Attorney, our office partnered with the ATF and the Cleveland Police as they doggedly investigated and brought a case involving the deadliest home arson in Cleveland history -- killed nine people, including eight kids.

Steve Dettelbach

00:25:59 - 00:26:14 ()

I also saw the ATF partner with the FBI and our office, first to find and then to bring to justice a bigot who drove from Indiana to outside Toledo to torch the largest mosque in Ohio.

Steve Dettelbach

00:26:14 - 00:26:23 ()

And last and certainly not least, I have partnered with the ATF for decades in its crucial fight against gun violence.

Steve Dettelbach

00:26:23 - 00:26:43 ()

You know, whether it was taking a single violent recidivist off the street in Maryland or putting together a big racketeering case against a violent gang in Youngstown, Ohio, I have seen the ATF work with other law enforcement to make so many of our communities safer.

Steve Dettelbach

00:26:43 - 00:27:18 ()

As we emerge from this pandemic, we've got to recognize that many Americans still face fear and isolation not because of a virus, but because of an epidemic of firearms violence. It's not a new problem, and it has many causes. That's why it's going to take an all-hands-on-deck-partnership approach to address that issue. And the ATF will be there. [Applause]

Steve Dettelbach

00:27:18 - 00:27:35 ()

If confirmed, I promise to support the men and the women of the ATF and to do everything in our power to protect the people of this nation every single day.

Steve Dettelbach

00:27:35 - 00:27:39 ()

Thank you. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:27:39 - 00:27:41 ()

All right, good job.

Steve Dettelbach

00:27:41 - 00:27:44 ()

Thank you, Mr. President.

Joe Biden

00:27:44 - 00:27:45 ()

Thank you all for coming.

Joe Biden

00:27:45 - 00:27:52 ()

And, by the way, he was responsible for the weather as well. [Laughter] Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Steve Dettelbach

00:27:52 - 00:27:53 ()

Thank you. [Applause]