Skip to main content

CAPAC Chair Praises Biden-Harris Administration for New Gun Safety Executive Order

March 15, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), welcomed President Joe Biden to Monterey Park, CA, to meet with families and members of the community impacted by the mass shooting that took place on January 21, 2023, during a Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration. President Biden and Chair Chu called for additional federal responses to address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.

On February 1, 2023, CAPAC endorsed the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2023.

CAPAC ChairChu issued the following statement about the President’s executive orderon gun violence prevention and community safety:

“I deeply appreciate the President using his visit to Monterey Park to announce additional executive actions that will reduce gun violence and save lives. This will ensure fewer communities will have to feel the unimaginable pain and loss that Monterey Park has felt this year. Increasing the number of background checks, reducing the loss and theft of firearms, and holding gun manufacturers accountable for the practices they use to market their guns will all help to prevent further bloodshed. I am especially pleased to see the inclusion of recommendations suggested by Monterey Park community leaders last month during aroundtable event with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerrareflected in these orders. Those recommendations included expanding public awareness for prevention strategies such as ‘red flag’ laws and better coordinating federal support for communities in the aftermath of such disasters.

“It is past time for Congress, including my Republican colleagues, to join the President in saying enough is enough and send comprehensive legislation to his desk to sign, including the Assault Weapons Ban and universal background checks. I am also working on legislation to build on the President’s action to further strengthen ‘red flag’ laws and other gun violence prevention strategies by ensuring resources are disseminated in a culturally appropriate manner and made available in-language for immigrant and Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. I thank President Biden for his tireless leadership to address the safety of our communities across the nation.