WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Gun Violence Prevention Advocates, State and Local Leaders Applaud Establishment of First-Ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Today, President Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to reduce gun violence, which has ravaged communities across the country, and implement and expand upon key executive and legislative action which has been taken to save lives. The new Office will be overseen by Vice President Harris and builds on historic actions taken by President Biden to end gun violence in our country: including signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislative action in nearly 30 years aimed at doing so, and taking more meaningful executive action than any other president to make our schools, churches, grocery stores, and communities safer.

See below for what they are saying:

Congressional Leaders And Caucuses

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy: "There are few people who care more about the work of gun violence prevention than President Biden. Establishing a White House office dedicated to this fight will save thousands of lives and strengthen the federal government's implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey: "I applaud President Biden for heeding our call and making history today by establishing the White House's Office of Gun Violence Prevention. We can and will end the epidemic of gun violence. We're just getting started." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Georgia Congresswoman Lucy McBath: "When I first started sharing Jordan's story, I never thought that one day I'd be sharing it at the @WhiteHouse.@JoeBiden knows the pain of loss. Today, he and @KamalaHarris are taking decisive action by declaring clearly: We do not have to live this way." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost: "We marched, we organized, I introduced my first bill to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and we WON. @POTUS just announced creating this office to save lives and face this epidemic head on. When we vote, organize, run – we change the world." [Tweet, 9/21/23]

New York Congressman Jerry Nadler: "The establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention will build on President Biden's executive actions to end the scourge of gun violence in America, as well as our work together to sign the historc Safer Communities Act into law. President Biden has already taken more executive steps to end the gun violence epidemic than any President in history, and with congressional Republicans unwilling to take the legislative action necessary to save lives, this office will be essential to keeping Americans safe. I applaud President Biden and Vice President Harris, who will oversee the office, for answering the call of the millions of Americans pleading for bold action on the gun violence epidemic in America." [Statement, 9/22/23]

California Congressman Adam Schiff: "I applaud @POTUS for creating the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This is one step closer to putting our communities' safety over gun industry profits. Now, it's time for Congress to do its part to stop the endless gun violence." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Illinois Congressman Mike Quigley: "100 lives a day lost to gun violence & over 500 mass shootings this year alone. Yet House R's have done nothing to curb this epidemic. Thank you @POTUS for answering my call alongside @RepMaxwellFrost to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This will save lives!" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "In March I joined forces with @RepMaxwellFrost on a bill to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. And today @POTUS made our office a reality! I'm so excited to celebrate this bold action from the WH." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

California Congressman Jim Costa: "NEWS: @POTUS announced the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a first-of-its-kind office to directly take on the gun violence epidemic. This office will help to fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and better coordinate efforts to save lives." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

California Congressman Tony Cárdenas: "As a proud co-sponsor of @RepMaxwellFrost's bill to create a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention, it's amazing to see @POTUS answer this call in the fight to save lives. Gun violence happens daily, the work to end it should be daily too." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum: "Today @POTUS announced the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention—the first of its kind to directly take on the epidemic of gun violence in America. It will help fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act & coordinate efforts to save more lives." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone: "The first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a historic step to address the gun violence epidemic plaguing America. Congress must build on this by passing commonsense legislation to protect Americans and prevent criminals from obtaining guns." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

California Congressman Jimmy Gomez: "NEWS: @POTUS initiates the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a huge step in fighting the gun crisis head-on. Firearms are the leading cause of death for kids in the US and we need a coordinated response. We have to do everything we can to protect our kids and communities." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Florida Congresswoman Lois Frankel: "The Office of Gun Violence Prevention at the White House is going to:Fully implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Advance additional actions to help save lives Expand partnerships with cities and statesBetter coordinate support for victims of gun violence." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

State and Local Government Officials

New York Governor Kathy Hochul: "In New York, we've seen that by working together with law enforcement and community partners, we can save lives. Thank you @POTUS for continuing to fight to end the gun violence epidemic in this country." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont: "We've worked to pass commonsense gun violence prevention policies in Connecticut, but there's much more that Congress can do to protect our nation from gun violence and save lives. I thank @POTUS and @VP for establishing this office and working to stop the epidemic of gun violence." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

California Attorney General Rob Bonta: "I created an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the California DOJ to advance commonsense, data-backed gun policy. I'm glad to see @POTUS use this model on a national scale. We need federal gun reform and action nationwide to truly eradicate America's disease." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

New York Attorney General Letitia James: "Every level of government needs to be working to end gun violence in our country and help save lives. The Biden administration is taking action and making it clear that thoughts and prayers are not enough." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Jacksonville, FL Mayor Donna Deegan: "@MayorDeegan is on her way to Washington to attend @POTUS White House announcement today on a new national office on gun violence prevention. She will also work to bring home more federal grant dollars for the @CityofJax" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Kansas City, MO Mayor Quinton Lucas: "A vital step to supporting safety for the people and particularly the children of Kansas City and all of America's communities. Thank you, @POTUS" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Democratic Mayors Association President Mayor Levar M. Stoney: "We commend President Joe Biden for establishing the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and continuing his efforts to reduce gun violence to make our communities safer. As our communities continue to be torn apart by gun violence, the establishment of the Office could not come at a more critical time. While the Administration has taken extraordinary measures, including passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, we need to do more. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention is an answer to that call – and will bolster the important work led by the Biden-Harris Administration to save lives while engaging more local, state, and federal leaders to create the change America needs. As Mayors, we look forward to collaborating with the Office to ensure we do everything possible to stop gun violence. We must. The creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention represents a critical step forward in saving lives." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari & State House Representative Harold Love: "Tennesseans deserve better than what they're getting from our state government so we are thrilled to play a part in this announcement and we look forward to helping this office realize its potential." [Statement, 9/22/23]

GA State Rep. Michelle Au: "Days after the ATL spa shootings in 2021, @POTUS and @VP met with Georgia #AAPI leaders and asked how they could help. One thing we asked for was for was centralized coordination of funding, resources, and reporting for hate crimes and gun violence. They listened and delivered." [Tweet, 9/21/23]

TN State Rep. Justin Jones: "Here at the White House where @POTUS is set to announce the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, an emergency response to the crisis of gun violence in our nation. This is a historic win for gun reform advocates and activists, and a testament to people power." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

NH State Rep. Matt Wilhelm: "I'm grateful to President Biden + Vice President Harris for taking action this week to address two of the biggest threats facing our country — climate change + gun violence. The American Climate Corps + the Office for Gun Violence Prevention are a BFD!! @POTUS @VP #NHPolitics" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle: "Today, I had the privilege of joining President Biden as he announced a monumental step towards a safer America. The establishment of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a critical move to combat the devastating impact of gun violence on communities nationwide." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Community and Advocacy Organizations

John Feinblatt, President of 'Everytown for Gun Safety': "The White House is the People's House, so it's only fitting that the Biden-Harris Administration is launching a new office focused on one of the American people's top concerns: keeping their families safe from gun violence. The political calculus around gun safety has undergone a dramatic shift, and the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is further evidence that this issue will continue to drive our political discourse. Rob Wilcox, who has been leading Everytown's federal work and played a key role in passing the first major gun safety bill to pass Congress in decades, is the perfect person to help lead this new office." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director, 'Moms Demand Action': "Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration is doubling down on being the strongest gun safety administration in our history and today's announcement is only further proof that they're using every tool at their disposal to save lives. I'm proud to not only call Rob and Greg friends, but colleagues in the gun safety movement, and there are no better champions for this work than these two esteemed leaders. As we head into 2024, our grassroots volunteers are ready to put it all on the line to reelect the Biden-Harris Administration so they can continue their life-saving work." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Natalie Fall, Executive Director of 'March for Our Lives': "This is a great day for youth activism and a big step forward for gun safety. We've called for this office for so many years because we know it will be a critical tool in our toolbox to end gun violence. The federal government has significant resources, in talent and treasure, to tackle the root causes of gun violence. For the first time, we have significant funding at the federal level to tackle gun violence and dozens of evidence-based programs that have been deployed over the years. We need someone to coordinate all of that and advise the President on how to cut through the red tape and take urgent action on gun violence." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Kris Brown, President of 'Brady': "The creation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the White House will mark a turning point in how our federal government responds to an epidemic that plagues every state and every community in America. Tackling this epidemic will take a whole-of-government approach, and this new office would ensure the executive branch is focused and coordinated on proven solutions that will save lives." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Founder of 'Giffords': "Gun violence tears apart communities in America every single day. It is a national epidemic that warrants dedicated leadership at the highest levels of our government. Before he took office, I wrote to President Biden, asking him to create 'a White House-led interagency gun violence prevention task force to ensure leadership, expertise, and coherent policy making around gun safety priorities.' Today, President Biden answered our calls by creating an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Gun violence won't be stopped overnight, but every step forward will save lives—and today's announcement is a giant step forward. GIFFORDS is grateful to President Biden and his administration for their unwavering leadership in the fight for gun safety." [Statement, 9/21/23]

Shannon Watts, Founder of 'Moms Demand Action': "This new, single point of leadership on gun violence in the administration is a very big deal for the gun safety movement. For years, activists and survivors have advocated for a centralized team dedicated to coordinating federal and state resources and mobilizing movement partners. This governmental focal point focused on building a framework for overseeing national policy, research and resources is more than symbolic — it is a significant turning point for the movement and the nation on the issue of gun violence. The Biden-Harris continues to deliver on its promise to prioritize gun safety; with this new policy announcement, they have now accomplished more on the issue of gun safety than any other administration in history." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

David Hogg, Founding Member of 'March for Our Lives': "It's been a long four long years of @AMarch4OurLives protests, registration of thousands of young voters, meetings and MANY zoom calls demanding an office of gun violence prevention but we did it. I'm on my way to the White House for the announcement of the office." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Kelley Robinson, President of the 'Human Rights Campaign': "From the 2016 Pulse shooting in Orlando and the 2022 attack on Club Q in Colorado Springs to youth suicides and anti-trans violence across the country, gun violence has taken an enormous toll on the LGBTQ+ community. This toll has only been exacerbated by easy access to guns and our nation's woefully inadequate policies. The creation of a White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention answers the call from communities nationwide for a meaningful investment in solutions and helps deliver on the Administration's promise to honor those stolen by this plague with action. The Human Rights Campaign applauds the Biden-Harris Administration for taking this important action to end gun violence in America and the advocates and communities who have worked tirelessly for this progress. Our fight for common sense laws to stop gun violence continues." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Varun Nikore, Executive Director of 'AAPI Victory Alliance': "AAPI Victory Alliance supports the Biden administration's action announced today to address our country's gun violence problem head-on. In partnership with our coalition of gun violence prevention groups, we have long advocated for a coordinated federal response to this epidemic that has plagued our communities for too long. President Biden has taken more meaningful executive action than any other President to end the trauma and tragedy of gun violence that so many Americans face.

"This is a winning issue for President Biden. Our early voter poll showsgun safety is a top issue for Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Virginia with 70% of AAPI respondents in the state saying they are "much more likely" to back a candidate who supports universal background checks. This is an early indicator of a monumental paradigm shift in AAPI issue priorities—and today's announcement will undoubtedly earn more trust between our community and the Biden Administration.

"And while we applaud the historic launch of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, we continue to call on the Administration and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the right-wing gun industrial complex and the National Rifle Association as they continue to prey on the fears of AAPIs and abhorrently market guns to a vulnerable community.
"We owe it to the next generation who have been sounding the alarm. One of the first mass school shootings in the United States took place in 1989 when a white gunman targeted Southeast Asian children at an elementary school in Stockton, Calif. Over three decades later, we're still fighting for a world where we can send our children to school free of the fear of gun violence. This Office will accelerate President Biden's work to save [Statement, 9/22/23]

Voto Latino: "27% of Latinos reported they experienced gun violence, compared to 13% of white Americans. From 2014-2020, gun deaths among Latinos increased by 66%. We witnessed the tragedies in El Paso and Uvalde. We commend @POTUS on establishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators: "Hispanic adults are 2x as likely to die by gun violence, and Hispanic children and teens are 3x more likely to die by gun homicide than their white peers, per @Everytown. We applaud the @VP's leadership on staying focused on keeping families safe from gun violence." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Patrick Gaspard, president of 'Center for American Progress': "This new office will save lives, as it directly confronts the carnage of gun violence plaguing us. President Biden has transformed this fight with an urgently needed, all-agency coordinated response. But much more must be done. Our children are dying in classrooms. Americans have been slaughtered in houses of worship. All while politicians pose with automatic weapons in holiday cards, as the gun lobby wines and dines them. This is the time to act, and this White House initiative renews our resolve." [Statement, 9/22/23]

Fred Guttenberg: "Today, I will be at the @WhiteHouse for the formal announcement of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. In March 0f 2018, I met @JoeBiden for the first time. It was one month after Jaime was killed. Below is the photo from that meeting. This meeting changed my life. […] Thank you @POTUS for keeping your promise. Thank you for putting @VP in charge. This shows commitment. Thank you for a team that includes @StefFeldman and my dear friends Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox. This is a serious team ready to do the serious work of reducing gun violence and saving lives." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Students Demand Action: "The @WhiteHouse will create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention! Guns are the #1 killer of kids and teens nationwide, and this is a big step towards a future free from gun violence. Thank you @POTUS and @VP for putting our safety first!"[Tweet, 9/22/23]

Voters of Tomorrow: "Americans deserve a bold strategy to curb the gun violence epidemic — the #1 killer of our children. @POTUS's creation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention will undoubtedly help lead these life-saving efforts. This is a big deal." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Mia Tretta: "Almost four years ago I was shot at school. My best friend, killed next to me. I advocate, I speak on bills, i educate myself on laws, I introduced the President. Today I'll be at the @WhiteHouse for the introduction of the Office of Gun Violence prevention. This is for you, Dom." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

March 4 Our Lives: "BREAKING: President Biden officially orders an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. We've been fighting for this since 2019, with our friends in the movement because we know it'll make an impact. This marks a HUGE win and shows us just how young people get shit done." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Aaron Parnas: "Proud to witness history today as @POTUS and @VP announced the creation of the first ever Office for Gun Violence Prevention. This Administration is fully committed to protecting young people across America. Also, huge shoutout to the first Gen Z member of Congress @MaxwellFrostFL!" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

NextGen America: "BREAKING: President Biden just announced the creation of the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. This is a HUGE step in the efforts to fight gun violence made possible by every young person who organized, marched, and voted!" [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Samuel Schwartz: "On my way to the White House this morning to hear @POTUS deliver remarks on the historic creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention! It's so nice having a President who is fighting for my generation's lives every single day." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Brandon Wolf: "Good news feels good to share. Proud to stand with so many today and mark a WIN in the fight for gun violence prevention. Our fight for a safer future we can all be proud of continues." [Tweet, 9/22/23]

Brett Cross: "It's been 486 days since Uzi was slaughtered in his school. Nothing has changed in Texas. Today we will be at the @WhiteHouse as the President introduces the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. An amazing step in the right direction. Let's get it!" [Tweet, 9/22/23]