Biden Calls For Assault Weapons Ban Amid Super Bowl Parade Shooting

US President Joe Biden has urged the American public to support his call to Congress to ban assault weapons, amid a major shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory rally.

One person killed, and several injured children were among the 21 people who were hurt following this mass shooting at the victory parade, as the Kansas City Chiefs' celebrated their second Super Bowl victory in a row.

In a statement where he said that this shooting "cuts deep", Biden released this White House statement, "Today's events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting". 

He also called on the US to "make your voice heard in Congress so we finally act to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity magazines, strengthen background checks, keep guns out of the hands of those who have no business owning them or handling them". 

Mr Biden also added that he and his wife Jill, "pray for those killed and injured today [Wednesday] in Kansas City, and for our country to find the resolve to end this senseless epidemic of gun violence".

The victim who sadly died at this shooting, was identified by local radio station KKFI as one of their DJs Lisa Lopez, who also hosted their Taste of Tejano show. Fifteen further victims suffered life threatening injuries.

Children's Mercy Kansas also revealed that they treated a dozen children at the incident, with 11 of them aged between 6 to 15 years old. A hospital spokesperson added that nine of these 12 patients were gun shot victims.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas claimed that the prevalence of firearms and guns in the US, makes it difficult to provide complete security for any public event, despite having several law enforcement officers present. 

He said, "We became part of a statistic of too many Americans, those who have experienced or been part of or connected to a mass shooting".

Reacting to this news, Kansas City Chiefs' players Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes shared this posts via X.

Praying for Kansas City… 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 14, 2024

I am heartbroken over the tragedy that took place today. My heart is with all who came out to celebrate with us and have been affected. KC, you mean the world to me.

— Travis Kelce (@tkelce) February 15, 2024