Biden urges Congress to pass ‘commonsense’ gun law reforms on 3rd anniversary of Parkland shooting

“For three years now, the Parkland families have spent birthdays and holidays without their loved ones,” he said. “They’ve missed out on the experience of sending their children off to college or seeing them on their first job after high school. Like far too many families, they’ve had to bury pieces of their soul deep within the Earth. Like far too many families — and, indeed, like our nation — they’ve been left to wonder whether things would ever be okay.”

Nikolas Cruz, the suspected lone gunman in the shooting, has pleaded guilty in hopes of avoiding the death penalty, and his trial has been indefinitely delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the shooting, several Parkland students have become activists. Biden appeared to reference them in his statement.

“Over these three years, the Parkland families have taught all of us something profound. Time and again, they have showed us how we can turn our grief into purpose — to march, organize, and build a strong, inclusive, and durable movement for change,” he said.

The president added that his administration “will not wait” for another mass shooting to happen before taking action.

“Today, I am calling on Congress to enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets,” Biden said.

“We owe it to all those we’ve lost and to all those left behind to grieve to make a change,” the statement concluded. “The time to act is now.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags to be flown at half-mast on Sunday and urged residents to join him in a “moment of silence” at 3 p.m. in remembrance of those lost in the shooting.