US President Joe Biden laid out specific areas of gun control that he wants Congress to address. Speaking from the White House, Biden’s address was focused on turning around Republican lawmakers. They were described as “unconscionable”.

While some progress is seen in the US House of Representatives, the upper legislative chamber continues to be in a deadlock after a series of deadly shootings in the United States.

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The biggest demand raised by Biden was to limit the sale of arms in the United States, a move that was proposed by former President Barack Obama too. Biden said lawmakers should work together to reinstate a ban on assault weapons.

In case such a change does not go through, Biden proposed a backup solution. He suggested that high-capacity magazines used in guns like AR-15s should not be available. Biden also suggested that the minimum age to purchase such weaponry should be increased from 18 to 21.

“Why in God’s name should an ordinary citizen be able to purchase an assault weapon that holds 30-round magazines, that lets mass shooters fire hundreds of bullets in a matter of minutes”, Biden asked during his address.

Other demands included tightening background checks before people purchase guns, rolling back legal immunity granted to gun manufacturers, enacting safe storage and red flag laws.

“I know how hard it is, but I’ll never give up, and if Congress fails, I believe this time a majority of the American people won’t give up either,” Biden said.

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“I believe the majority of you will act to turn your outrage into making this issue central to your vote”, he added, according to Associated Press reports.

Speaking at the White House, Biden acknowledged the stiff political headwinds as he sought to drive up pressure on Congress to pass stricter gun limits after such efforts failed following past attacks.