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The Tamarind
Wednesday
April 20, 2022
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A r u b a ’ s O N L Y E n g l i s h n e w s p a p e r
Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper
Gun safety activists decry inaction as U.S. shootings surge

By STEVE PEOPLES
AP National Politics Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Democrats have spent years pledg-
ing to address the gun violence that plagues communi-
ties across the U.S. But a surge of mass shootings over the
weekend that left dozens wounded and two dead served
as a reminder of how little they have accomplished since
taking control of Washington 15 months ago.
The struggle for the Biden administration and Demo-
crats in Congress to enact any meaningful legislation to
enhance gun safety reflects how the party’s ambitious
agenda has been frustratingly stunted by internal squab-
bling, the persistence of the pandemic and the war in
Ukraine. The almost complete Republican opposition to
Democratic priorities, including gun rules, has hobbled a
party with razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate.
But that’s little solace to gun safety advocates and tens
of thousands of shooting victims who were told Demo-
crats would reduce gun violence if given the chance to
govern. In an already difficult election year, the inaction
threatens to further undermine the coalition of young
people, women, voters of color and independents who
helped deliver Joe Biden the presidency in 2020 and will
be needed again if Democrats are to hold control of
Congress. Rep. Lucy McBath, D-Ga., questions Attorney General Merrick Garland during a hearing Oct. 21,
2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Continued on Page 2 Associated Press