Rep. Chu Welcomes President Biden to Monterey Park, Praises Administration for New Gun Safety Executive Order

March 14, 2023

MONTEREY PARK, CA – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) welcomed President Joe Biden to Monterey Park 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 at Star Dance Studio. President Biden and Rep. Chu, who is the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, called for additional federal responses to address the epidemic of gun violence in the United States.

"I've met with the victims' families, and I've come to understand how special the victims were. They were mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters," said Rep. Chu in her introductory remarks for the President. "They were all Asian American immigrants from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines who worked hard to build lives here. They did not deserve to be taken from us."

"So, President Biden, thank you for meeting with the victims' families, as well as the wounded, and consoling them. Thank you for being with us today in an ultimate act of healing. Thank you for letting us know that we are not alone," Rep. Chu concluded. "And thank you for continuing to raise your voice for an Assault Weapons Ban in this country, as well as for measures in your gun violence executive order—especially with regard to enhanced ‘red flag' implementation and a coordinated FEMA response to mass shootings. We need this so that no other community has to go through what we've gone through."

"A tragedy that has pierced the soul of this nation, here in Monterey Park, the San Gabriel Valley, the heart of the Asian American community," said President Biden of the attack on Lunar New Year's Eve. "I'm here on behalf of the American people, to mourn with you, to pray with you, to let you know you're loved and not alone."

President Biden resolved: "I'm with you here today to act…Let's be clear: none of [what's in my executive order] absolves Congress from the responsibility of acting—to pass universal background checks, eliminate gun manufacturers' immunity from liability. I am determined once again to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines."

Following the President's remarks, Rep. Chu issued the following statement about today's executive order related to gun 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 a roundtable event with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra reflected 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."

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Issues:Crime and Safety