US President Joe Biden has called for a ban on semi-automatic firearms following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. In his first political speech since the incident, delivered at the annual conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Las Vegas, Biden expressed relief that Trump was not seriously harmed and emphasized the need to remove 'weapons of war' from America's streets. He specifically mentioned the AR-15 weapon used in the assassination attempt, urging for its ban.
Biden's speech also highlighted the importance of toning down political discourse while continuing to speak the truth. He criticized Trump on various fronts, including his handling of the economy during the coronavirus pandemic and his past claims about former President Barack Obama's citizenship. Biden's campaign, which initially focused on strong criticism of Trump, has now shifted to a message of unity following the assassination attempt.
In a related development, Biden has ordered an independent investigation into the security processes surrounding the attack on Trump. Speaking at the White House, he emphasized that Trump had received the highest level of security as a former president and Republican presidential candidate. Biden urged the public to refrain from hasty speculations about the motive for the crime or potential security lapses until the investigation is complete.
The Republican Party has responded by calling for increased security for Trump and plans to make the security issue a topic of congressional hearings. The House Government Oversight Committee has scheduled a session to hear testimony from Secret Service Director Kimberly Chittle, and the Senate's Homeland Security Committee is also planning an investigation into the security failures.
A Reuters poll conducted after the assassination attempt revealed that 80% of Americans fear the country may slide into chaos, with 84% expressing concerns about potential violent acts by extremists post-election. The poll also showed Trump holding a slight lead over Biden among registered voters, with 43% to Biden's 41%, indicating that the assassination attempt has not significantly altered voter attitudes.
