In a surprising conclusion to his lecture on gun control at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, President Biden caught the crowd off guard with the words “God save the Queen, man” after cautioning them about their potential responsibility for vehicle thefts.
The remark left journalists present at the event, including Todd Gillman of the Dallas Morning News, puzzled. Gillman noted in a pool report that the reason behind Biden’s comment remained unknown to both him and the rest of the press pool.
Responding to inquiries, deputy White House press secretary Olivia Dalton later explained that Biden had directed his comment to someone in the crowd. It brought to mind a previous incident where the president publicly mourned the loss of Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) but later asked, “Where’s Jackie?” in September, causing confusion.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, “God Save the Queen” served as both the British national anthem and a symbol of national pride. With the ascension of her son Charles III after her passing, the royal anthem and motto reverted to “God Save the King.”
In his address, President Biden advocated for new legislation holding gun owners legally accountable for the improper storage of firearms and prohibiting semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines designed for such rifles. He used an analogy of car ownership, stating that if a person left their car unlocked with the keys inside, and a teenager took it for a joyride resulting in harm, the car owner would be held responsible.
Insurance-centric Claims Journal, however, argues that the majority common law rule across states does not hold vehicle owners liable for damages when their stolen car is involved in an accident. Yet, some states and cities have laws that impose liability on owners who leave keys in an unlocked vehicle. The specific circumstances determine owner liability.
According to a list compiled by the legal firm Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, several states, including Connecticut and New Jersey, hold car owners vicariously liable for theft-related activities if they leave keys in the vehicle, especially in areas with recent auto theft incidents.
Biden’s use of the regal farewell phrase followed a series of light-hearted remarks, such as humorously referring to himself as “a little under 103” or “110.” Towards the end of his speech, he engaged the audience by asking if they expected rain and whether he should stay for photos. Upon hearing a negative response, he quoted a line from a John Wayne movie, saying, “Don’t make me a dog-face lying pony soldier.” Biden then proceeded to take photos with attendees before departing for a Tony Greenwich event later that day.