The U.S. Concealed Carry Association: President Biden’s Anti-Gun Proposals Will Do Nothing To Actually Save Lives or Stop Crime

Political Leaders in Washington Should Be Focused on Expanding Americans’ Right to Self-Defense

West Bend, WI – The U.S. Concealed Carry Association, which is the country’s largest, fastest-growing self-defense association dedicated to responsible gun owners, released the following statement ahead of President Biden’s speech in California today where he is reportedly expected to announce a new executive order regarding gun sales and storage.

Please attribute the statement below to Katie Pointer Baney who is the Managing Director of Government Affairs for the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA).  Katie is also available today for both on-camera and phone interviews to respond to the President’s announcement. 

“The reality is that nothing in the President’s executive order today would have done anything to prevent the recent mass shootings in California, Michigan or elsewhere. California in particular already has some of the country’s harshest anti-gun laws, yet cities like Los Angeles continue to be plagued by violent crime. 

“It’s time for the President and political leaders across the country to have an honest conversation with the American people and acknowledge there is no legislative fix that will permanently solve the issue of gun violence. 

“Criminals, by definition, do NOT follow the law, which is why proposals like the President’s latest executive order will ultimately only target law-abiding gun owners, not violent criminals.  The majority of mass public shootings already take place in so-called ‘gun-free zones,’ and according to the President’s own Department of Justice, offenders who use firearms during a crime obtain it illegally 90 percent of the time.

“The failure of political leaders in Washington and state capitals, particularly in states like California, to address the root causes of violent crime is why millions of Americans are today choosing to be their family’s first line of defense by purchasing a firearm and getting training.  Our elected leaders should be supporting those law-abiding Americans instead of finding more ways to hinder their right to defend themselves.”

BACKGROUND:

• Notably, the President’s renewed call for more restrictions on Americans’ right to self-defense comes in the wake of a new ABC News/Washington Post poll showing that a majority of Americans oppose a federal “assault weapons” ban.  In fact, the poll showed a 10-point jump in opposition since the question was last asked in 2019.
• According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, nearly 30% of the 18.5 million firearms purchased in the United States in 2021 went to first-time gun owners. Similar surveys have also shown massive increases in first-time gun purchases from the African American, Hispanic American and Asian American communities as well. While it often receives little national media attention there are countless instances – see this map for example – of a concealed carry holder thwarting criminals from murdering innocent people.
• To date, more than 350,000 Americans have signed a petition sponsored by the USCCA, urging their Representatives in Washington to prioritize and help pass national concealed carry reciprocity. Across the country there has been broad support for fewer restrictions on law abiding gun owners.
• In 2022, the trend of record-high gun sales also continued as 5 million background checks for firearm purchases were recorded. As sales skyrocketed, so has demand for firearm safety and training courses.

About the USCCA. The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is an association of responsibly armed Americans whose members get exceptional self-defense education, lifesaving training, and self-defense liability insurance, preparing them for the before, during and after of a lawful act of self-defense. The USCCA is the largest, fastest-growing self-defense association dedicated to responsible gun owners.