President Joe Biden pushes for gun reform after deadly shooting spree in Tate County that killed 6 people

ARKABUTLA, Miss (WMC) - President Joe Biden urges Congress to act on gun reform after a deadly shooting spree in Tate County.

The statement, released Friday, reads:

Enough.
We are 48 days into the year and our nation has already suffered at least 73 mass shootings. Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Gun violence is an epidemic and Congress must act now.
Jill and I are mourning for the six killed in today’s violence in Tate County, Mississippi — as we have for far too many Americans. We grieve with their families and with Americans nationwide as gun violence claims yet more lives. We are also praying for the recovery of those injured in this horrendous attack, and for survivors who will carry both grief and trauma with them for the rest of their lives.
Federal law enforcement is in close touch with state and local authorities, and I’ve directed that all federal support be made available.
We need—need—commonsense gun law reforms. That includes requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, fully closing the boyfriend loophole to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, requiring safe storage of guns, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets.
These are commonsense steps that Congress could take right now and save lives. We owe action to American communities being torn apart by gun violence.
President Joe Biden

Residents in Arkabutla want answers on what led 52-year-old Richard Crum to go on the shooting spree that killed six people on Friday.

According to Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance, the six victims are Chris Eugene Boyce, Debra McNally Crum, Lynda Faye McCain, George Austin McCain, Charles Howard Manuel and John Harold Rorie. Crum is currently being held without bond on first-degree murder, with additional charges pending.

“This is a good community and it’s the first time we’ve had anything like this happen,” Connie Hudson told Action News 5 on Saturday. “The public needs to know what caused this to happen.”

Action News 5 reached out to the Tate County Sheriff’s Office to ask if they’ve determined a motive. They told our newsroom the investigation is ongoing.

“It’s unnerving that this would happen in a place you pass every single day,” said Jonathan Hudson.

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