Andrés Manuel López Obrador Urges US Gun Control Amid Trump Assassination Attempt
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has called on US presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump to commit to regulating the arms market, following a recent assassination attempt on Trump. López Obrador emphasized that such a commitment would be a significant step toward national unity and peace, benefiting both Americans and Mexicans.
The appeal comes as the López Obrador administration has struggled to curb the influx of illegal weapons from the US into Mexico, where 75% of confiscated arms originate from illegal trafficking across the border. The Mexican president highlighted the urgency of gun control, noting that the US's lax regulations enable easy access to firearms, exacerbating violence on both sides of the border.
Biden and Trump Respond to Gun Violence
In response to the assassination attempt, US President Joe Biden has called for a ban on semi-automatic rifles, specifically the AR-15 used in the attack on Trump. Speaking at an NAACP event in Las Vegas, Biden urged Americans to help him remove these 'weapons of war' from the streets.
Donald Trump, who survived the attempt with a minor ear injury, has shown a more moderate tone in his campaign rhetoric. In his first interview post-incident, Trump expressed a desire to unite the country, though he remains a polarizing figure.
Assassination Attempt Sparks International Reactions and Increased Security Measures
The assassination attempt on Trump has led to increased scrutiny of the Secret Service and calls for improved security measures. US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has promised an independent investigation into the security lapses that allowed the attack to occur. The incident has also prompted global reactions, including from the German ambassador to the US, who condemned the violence and expressed relief that Trump was not seriously injured.
The Republican Party Convention in Milwaukee has been a focal point for both Trump supporters and critics. Trump, with his ear bandaged, made a defiant appearance at the convention, receiving an ovation from his supporters. Meanwhile, Joe Biden has called for political conflicts to be resolved through dialogue, not violence, urging Americans to 'cool down' the heated political climate.
- During his daily morning conference, López Obrador reiterated the need for the US to control its arms market, pointing out that a significant percentage of illegal weapons in Mexico come from Texas. He criticized the ease of purchasing firearms in the US, comparing it to buying groceries in a supermarket.
- The Secret Service faced criticism after eyewitnesses reported seeing the shooter before the attack but were unable to prevent it. The FBI has classified the shooting as a domestic terrorist attack and is investigating the shooter's background and motives.
- Trump's campaign has seen a surge in donations following the attack, with over $400 million raised in the second quarter. This financial boost places Trump in a strong position against Biden in the upcoming election.
- Biden's call for an AR-15 ban aligns with his broader gun control agenda, which aims to reduce the frequency of mass shootings in the US. The AR-15 has been involved in numerous high-profile shootings, making it a target for gun control advocates.
- The international community has reacted strongly to the assassination attempt, with various media outlets and political figures expressing concerns about the implications for US security and political stability. The Los Angeles Times warned that the incident could further polarize the nation, while the Polish newspaper Dziennik Gazeta Prawna suggested that America's perceived weakening could embolden adversaries.
