The claim: Biden once said he 'never believed' more gun control or federal registration would reduce crime

Recent mass shootings, including those at a Texas elementary school and a New York supermarket, have renewed public attention on President Joe Biden’s views on gun control. 

An array of recent Facebook posts are spotlighting one quote in particular from decades ago.

“During my twelve-and-a-half years as a member of this body, I have never believed that additional gun control or federal registration of guns would reduce crime,” read part of a quote attributed to then-Sen. Biden in a June 7 Facebook post that was shared more than 1,500 times in less than a week. 

Other versions of the claim spread widely across the social media platform. 

Biden did make this comment during debate over gun legislation in a 1985 Senate floor session. He has gone on to advocate for gun control measures including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Fact check: Biden didn't 'gift' weapons to Taliban, hasn't proposed banning pistols

USA TODAY reached out to users who shared the claim for comment.

Remark made during Firearms Owners' Protection Act debate in 1985

The remark came during debate over the Firearms Owners' Protection Act, which amended the Gun Control Act of 1968 by permitting the interstate sale of handguns and increasing penalties for criminal misuse of firearms, among other changes.

Biden voted against amendments that would have enacted a 14-day waiting period for handgun sales and removed a provision requiring notification before routine compliance inspections of firearm dealers and manufacturers.