Biden says the gun safety movement has reached a 'tipping point' as he marks one year since passage of major legislation

President Joe Biden on Friday marked one year since the passage of the first major gun safety legislation in a generation during a summit in Connecticut, as gun violence reaches record levels in the United States and additional congressional action remains stalled.

In remarks at the National Safer Communities Summit in Connecticut, the president delivered an impassioned speech on taking further steps to protect communities, arguing that he believes the movement has reached a "tipping point."

"Whether you're Democrats or Republicans we all want families to be safe. We all want to drop them off at a house of worship, a mall, a movie, a school door without worrying that it's the last time we're going to see them. We all want our kids to have the freedom to learn, to read and to write instead of learning how to duck and cover in a classroom. And above all, we all agree we are not finished. We are not finished. We are not finished," Biden said to applause in the packed auditorium.

Last year, Biden signed legislation called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law - a significant breakthrough on one of the most contentious policy issues. The administration has also implemented two dozen executive actions to try to reduce gun violence. But in the absence of congressional action, the White House has turned its focus to state action to try to reduce gun violence.

"For me, and for most of you, here's what it really is: It's an important first step," Biden said, referring to the gun safety legislation he signed into law last year.

Biden spoke at the University of Hartford, where, in 2013, former President Barack Obama delivered remarks following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut. Ten years later, gun violence remains a challenging issue for the White House.

"You've turned your cause into reality. I believe we've reached a tipping point. I really do, I swear to God. The people in this room are the big reason why we've reached that tipping point," Biden said.