Jean-Pierre Calls on New GOP Speaker to Find ‘Common Ground’ on Gun Control After Mass Shooting: ‘Now Is The Time’

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called on new House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to find “common ground” on gun control after Wednesday night’s mass shooting in Maine.

Video surveillance showed suspect Robert Card holding an assault-style weapon when he allegedly killed at least eight people and as many as 18.

“It’s within Congress’ power to pass legislation that will make our streets safer, that will make our communities safer, that will make our schools safer,” Jean-Pierre said during Thursday’s press briefing. She continued:

The House has a new speaker who said he’s ready to get to work and to find common ground. Now is the time, now is the time to find common ground. Let’s work together to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, let’s work together to enact universal background checks, require safe storage of guns, and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous individuals who have no business being armed with a weapon of war.

The president will continue to do everything in his power to protect the American people, to protect our communities, to protect our children, and we urge, we urge congressional Republicans to come to the table, to come to the table if there truly is common ground at this time.

Johnson was unanimously elected by Republicans Wednesday more than three weeks after the ouster of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). CNN’s Jake Tapper described Johnson as “very far to the right.”

Rolling Stone called Johnson, “a Christian nationalist with extreme views on guns, reproductive rights, and more.”

Thursday afternoon, a manhunt continued for Card, whom police have described as armed and dangerous. A shelter in place warning remains in effect in Lewiston, Maine, and surrounding areas. Card’s family members said they have been texting him and encouraging him to surrender to authorities.

Watch the clip above via Fox News.