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Joe Biden released a statement late Friday morning blaming the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on “gun violence.”
“I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning,” Biden wrote in a statement appearing on the White House website.
“This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him. I had the privilege to work closely with Prime Minister Abe.”
Abe was shot and killed during a campaign speech in Nara City Friday.
Biden went on to condemn the scourge of “gun violence” as being responsible for Abe’s death, despite the fact guns are almost completely banned in the island nation.
“While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it,” Biden stated.
Indeed, Japan’s strict gun laws make firearms very difficult to obtain making shooting deaths extremely rare, with only 9 deaths reported in 2018.
CNN reports: “Under Japan’s firearms laws, the only guns permitted for sale are shotguns and air rifles — handguns are outlawed. But getting them is a long and complicated process that requires effort — and lots of patience.”
However, it’s apparent even the strictest gun laws could not prevent assassin Tetsuya Yamagami from carrying out his deadly act, as it is reported he fabricated his own improvised weapon.
It appears in this case, as with almost every other shooting, the assassin’s motives and state of mind are more to blame for his violence than the gun he used; however, with the Biden administration’s war on the Second Amendment well underway, it’s impossible to let a good crisis go to waste.