Michelle Obama slams ‘leaders who won’t take a stand to save lives’ following Boulder shooting

Former first lady Michelle Obama tore into U.S. lawmakers who she said stand in the way of meaningful legislation meant to curb gun violence in America, reforms she says would help prevent mass shootings like the one in Boulder, Colo., this week. 

“I’m heartbroken by these recent tragedies of gun violence, and I just keep thinking about all the leaders who won’t take a stand to save lives and yet line up to pass bills that make it harder for us to vote,” Obama said on Tuesday afternoon. “The [For the People Act] is a chance to reaffirm that in America, the power rests with the people. It’s our best chance in a generation to protect and strengthen our democracy.” 

Police in Boulder said a gunman opened fire at a King Soopers supermarket not far from the University of Colorado on Monday afternoon, killing 10 people, including a police officer. The gunman has been identified as 21-year-old Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa from Arvada, Colo. He has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder. 

Police documents documents reviewed by The Denver Post on Tuesday show Alissa had a rifle and wore a tactical vest during the attack. Authorities have not given any details about a possible motive for the shooting. 

Former President Obama renewed his calls for gun reform on Tuesday following the incident in Boulder and a string of shootings at massage parlors in Atlanta last week. 

“It is long past time for those with the power to fight this epidemic of gun violence to do so. It will take time to root out the disaffection, racism and misogyny that fuels so many of these senseless acts of violence,” the former president said. 

“A once-in-a-century pandemic cannot be the only thing that slows mass shootings in this country. We shouldn’t have to choose between one type of tragedy and another. It’s time for leaders everywhere to listen to the American people when they say enough is enough—because this is a normal we can no longer afford,” he added.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence on Tuesday, Republicans brushed away demands from Democrats on Capitol Hill that the Senate pass a ban on assault weapons, a measure President Biden signaled support for again on Tuesday. 

“Every time there’s a shooting, we play this ridiculous theater where this committee gets together and proposes a bunch of laws that would do nothing to stop these murders,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said during the hearing. “What happens in this committee after every mass shooting is Democrats propose taking away guns from law-abiding citizens, because that’s their political objective.” 

Biden said the country is ready for Congress to pass substantial gun reform legislation. 

“I don’t need to wait another minute — or another hour — to take commonsense steps that will save lives in the future,” Biden said from the White House.