ICYMI: Vice President Kamala Harris Launches Administration's Safer States Initiative While Continuing Her Leadership On Gun Violence Prevention

"Our collective desire is to end the fact that gun violence is the number one killer of children in America," said the Vice President while announcing a new gun safety initiative during a convening with nearly 100 state legislators

WASHINGTON – The Vice President continued her leadership on gun violence prevention efforts today by launching the Biden-Harris Administration's Safer States Initiative, which will provide states with additional tools and support to advance commonsense gun safety initiatives and save lives in communities across the country. She made the announcement while speaking at a State Legislative Convening on Gun Violence Prevention that included nearly 100 state legislators from 39 states.

"Our collective desire is to end the fact that gun violence is the number one killer of children in America, to end the fact that one in five Americans has a family member that was killed by gun violence. That quest is truly about the strength of who you are as leaders," said Vice President Harris.

As the leader who is overseeing the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the Vice President also renewed her call for commonsense steps to save lives. "I am absolutely in favor of the Second Amendment, and I am also in favor of an assault weapons ban, universal background checks, red flag laws. It is just reasonable," she said.

Vice President Harris has continued to lead the fight for the freedom to live safe from gun violence. She has grieved with families who have been directly impacted by this epidemic and has partnered with gun safety advocates throughout the nation. Last week, she met with Gabby Giffords and gun safety advocate Trevon Bosley to discuss ongoing work to end gun violence. In September, she welcomed Grammy-nominated artist Quavo from the hip hop group Migos to the White House for a conversation about advancing commonsense gun safety policies. She also headlined Everytown for Gun Safety's annual Gun Sense University conference and marked Gun Violence Awareness Day by delivering remarks that called on young people to continue their efforts to end gun violence – a message she brought to every campus on her nationwide "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour that took place this fall with more than 15,000 students.

The Vice President has worked alongside President Biden to address gun violence. Last year, they achieved passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first significant piece of federal gun safety legislation in nearly three decades. In March, President Biden also signed an additional Executive Order to expand background checks, increase the effective use of red flag laws, and support survivors of gun violence. President Biden has taken more executive action to reduce gun violence than any other president at this point in their Administration.

Read more about the Vice President's launch of the Safer States Initiative:

AP: US lawmakers gather at the White House on easing gun violence. 'You're not in it alone,' Harris says

Reuters: Nearly 100 US state legislators to discuss gun violence with VP Harris

WaPo: White House turns to states in latest push for new gun laws

WMUR: New Hampshire state lawmakers meet with Vice President Kamala Harris about gun violence prevention

Politico: White House gun violence initiative announced to encourage state-based action

Spectrum: V.P. Harris to pitch statehouses on gun violence legislation

The Hill: White House launches state-level effort to reduce gun violence

The Messenger: Kamala Harris Launches 'Safer States' Gun Violence Prevention Initiative