‘We have to do more:’ Father of Parkland victim interrupts Biden at event on gun safety
which Biden signed into law last month, expands gun background checks for people between the ages of 18 to 21, seeks to close the “boyfriend loophole” so people convicted of assaulting a dating partner cannot buy firearms and more.
Biden hosted hundreds of people at the White House, including bipartisan lawmakers and the families of victims of gun violence, to mark the new law. But during his remarks, the president was interrupted by Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was one of 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a press briefing later on Monday “Our hearts go out to Manuel Oliver, who has suffered a deep, deep loss.”
“The president agrees with him. He agrees that we need to do more,” Jean-Pierre said, noting that Biden met with Oliver before the event and that the president has called on lawmakers to enact additional gun legislation.
Oliver said in an interview with CBS News he and other activists have called on Biden to create an office focused on gun violence prevention.
“I’m loyal to my son and to his legacy,” Oliver said.
Lawmakers passed the bipartisan legislation after a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Nineteen students and two teachers were killed in the shooting.