By Jarrett Renshaw

WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – President Joe Biden will visit a Texas community that was devastated by the worst school shootings in a decade. There are still questions as to whether the slow response of law enforcement contributed to this tragedy.

Biden’s familiar role as comforter-in-chief will be complicated by local anger over a decision by law enforcement in Uvalde, Texas, to allow the shooter to remain in a classroom for nearly an hour while officers waited in the hallway and children in the room made panicked 911 calls for help.

Police are investigating the incident that resulted in 19 victims and 2 teachers from Robb Elementary School being shot to death. Investigators were looking into how the police responded to this shooting and many have called for the FBI’s investigation.

Biden will visit the memorial at the school and speak with families of victims.

“He must keep his eyes on the suffering and grievance of their families and communities and recognize that the mystery of what actually happened has made all this more difficult. The more we learn, the more it seems the children were poorly served,” said Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist and a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.

He also has to face the reality that his power is limited in stopping mass shootings in America and convincing Republicans that stricter gun control policies are an option. His Texas trip will mark his third visit to a site of mass shootings. He also visited Buffalo earlier in the month, New York after an attack that claimed 10 lives at a grocery store.

Biden said to graduates Saturday in Delaware’s commencement speech, “Too many violence, too often fear, and too much grief.” We cannot ban tragedy. But we can make America more secure. We can finally do what we have to do to protect the lives of the people and of our children.”

Gun control has been relegated to the forefront of national agendas after the Uvalde shooting. Supporters of stricter gun laws argue that this latest violence is a turning point.

“The president has a real opportunity. The country is desperately asking for a leader to stop the slaughter from gun violence,” said Igor Volsky, executive director of Guns Down America.

He said Biden should immediately establish a senior position in charge of tackling the country’s gun problem and crisscross the United States to put public pressure on Congress to pass meaningful gun reform. Biden has promised to work with the gun problem and make deals.

Kamala Harris (Vice President) called for an assault weapon ban during Saturday’s trip to Buffalo. Harris stated that after the two incidents of mass shootings, such arms have been “a weapon” and “have no place in a civilized society.”

White House officials and allies claim that Biden will not be open to specific policies to prevent the Senate from disrupting gun control negotiations. Aides say that he is unlikely to take immediate executive action on firearms to send Republican legislators back to their sides.

Meanwhile, leading Republicans like U.S. Former President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz from Texas, rejected the call for gun control reforms and suggested instead that we invest in mental health and tighten security at our schools.

Gregg Abbott (Republican Texas Governor) denied that Texas’ new gun laws — including controversial measures removing licensing requirements for concealed weapons carry – had “any relevance” to Tuesday’s bloodshed. He suggested that lawmakers pay more attention to mental health.