On Thursday, US President Joe Biden announced his first attempt to control gun violence. He announced a set of modest moves aimed to start revamping federal gun policy by tweaking the government’s definition of a firearm and more aggressively responding to urban gun violence. Biden said, “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment”. He called high rates of gun violence a blemish on the character of Americans. He pushed back against arguments that these executive actions would infringe upon the right to bear arms. The changes include reviewing federal policy surrounding ghost guns and handmade or self-assembled firearms that don’t include serial numbers and the use of stabilizing braces on pistols (a modification that turns the weapon into a short-barreled rifle). President Biden said, “Nothing I’m about to recommend in any way impinges upon the Second Amendment”.
President Biden also said that he needs pistols modified to be more dangerous to be subject to the National Firearms Act. It means the owners would have to register and pay a fee for the modifications. He urged the Senate to pass bills passed in the House to expand background checks and called on Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. It would close the “boyfriend loophole” to avoid dating partners and stalkers convicted of domestic violence or abuse from purchasing and owning firearms. Joe Biden said, “Whether Congress acts or not, I’m going to use all of the resources at my disposal as president of the United States to protect Americans from gun violence”. Biden also called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban. However, the recent measures of the President are opposed by most Republicans and it could create hurdles to pass in the Senate.
It is important that most legislation requires 60 votes to advance in the Senate and Democrats have a 50-seat majority. But, Biden insists there is a common ground between Republicans and Democrats. He pointed out that gun control measures are overwhelmingly popular with the American people. President Biden said, “I know it’s painful and frustrating that we haven’t made progress that we’ve hoped for. No matter how long it takes, we’re going to get these passed. We’re not going to give up”. On Thursday, Biden also nominated David Chipman to lead the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives). He is a former special agent with the agency and an expert on gun violence. Chipman has served as policy director for Giffords in recent years. Point to be noted that Giffords, is the gun control organization founded by former Representative Gabrielle Giffords.