The National Gun Violence Prevention Act celebrates one year being law

By TMO STAFF

Marking the first anniversary since the inception of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act. President Biden and Vice President Harris are offering a fresh rundown of the moves they’ve made and the strides they’ve taken. This isn’t your standard status report. It’s more a blend of hard won experience and determination.

President Biden, steeped in the grief and urgency of countless families touched by gun violence, echoed their rallying cry: “Do something.” And he did just that. He pointed to the landmark gun safety laws pushed through—arguably the most significant in the past three decades—alongside a slew of executive orders meant to curb the rising tide of violence. Yet even with these advancements, the message was clear: it wasn’t enough. This realization is what birthed the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.

With Vice President Harris steering the ship, this new office has made waves. It’s not just about words but real impact—tightening up background checks and channeling record-breaking funds into youth mental health initiatives. They’ve collaborated closely with survivors as well as families, and communities that have been caught in the crossfire. Working hard to heal wounds that run deep.

When this administration took the reins, they faced a brutal spike in violent crime, much of it driven by firearms about 80% of murders in the country to be exact. They didn’t waste time. With the American Rescue Plan, they secured crucial funding for law enforcement and community focused intervention programs. No thanks to Republican support. By the midpoint of 2022, they had already broken the record for the number of executive actions targeting gun violence, surpassing any administration that came before.

Their crowning achievement came on June 25, 2022, when President Biden put his pen to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—the most consequential gun reform in almost 30 years. The results speak for themselves. By 2023, the U.S. saw the sharpest dip in homicide rates in recent history, proof that their strategy was paying off.

The grind didn’t stop there. The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention has been linking arms with law enforcement and those who have felt the impact of gun violence firsthand. President Biden knew Vice President Harris’s dedication to this issue made her the right pick for this role, with her extensive track record of tackling gun violence head on.

Over the last year, the numbers tell a compelling story. Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows a 17% drop in homicides, with mass shootings down by a hefty 20% compared to the same time last year. These aren’t just stats they represent lives saved, communities mending, and hope for a safer future.

In a recent release, the White House outlined their progress, highlighting four main goals: enacting the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, standing by survivors, pinpointing new executive moves, and strengthening ties with states and cities. It’s a holistic approach that digs deep into the roots of the problem while working towards solutions.

For the President this journey is part of a lifelong mission. He was at the forefront of passing the Brady Bill in 1993 and the assault weapons ban in 1994. Despite the growing clout of the NRA in the early 2000s, he never flinched. After the tragedy of Sandy Hook in 2012 he spearheaded over two dozen executive actions to stem the tide of gun violence. Now, from the Oval Office, he’s rallying Congress to push through a new assault weapons ban.

Vice President Harris has been battling this issue for years, from her days as District Attorney in San Francisco to her role as California’s Attorney General. Where she fought against illegal firearms and trafficking. In the Senate she pushed relentlessly for tougher gun regulations including an assault weapons ban.

Biden and Harris aren’t letting up anytime soon. They’ve built a sturdy framework, but they know the road to a safer America is long and winding. The work continues, because for them, it’s not just about politics it’s about ensuring every American can walk their streets free from the specter of gun violence.