Biden Signs Executive Order to Ramp Up Gun Control

On March 14, President Joe Biden signed an executive decree to promote gun control measures. This included a step towards universal background checks as well as existing law allowing for them without the need for new legislation.

Biden is expected to make the announcement in a speech near the site of the mass shooting on Jan. 21, 2023 that left 11 dead and nine more injured.

To achieve universal background checks, the order increases background checks prior to firearm sales.

This executive order encourages greater use of “red flag” Laws, oversight of the gun trade, and the ability identify and arrest shooters. Biden will also ask for a report from the Federal Trade Commission on marketing firearms to children.

Biden stated that this could be achieved by a stronger enforcement of the Bipartisan Safety Communities Act (Act). The Act will be particularly important in implementing at most two of Biden’s most controversial proposals.

The Act would increase the number required background checks by redefining “background check” “who is engaged in the business of dealing firearms.” Currently, a person is considered to be in the firearms business if it is their main activity. “principal objective of livelihood and profit.” That would be changed by The Act “predominately earn a profit.”

Critics say that this would include private sales between individuals. Currently, background checks are not required.

Federal officials will be instructed by the executive order to promote “so-called” immigration reform. “Red Flag Laws.” They have been adopted in 19 US states and the District of Columbia. These laws allow firearms to be confiscated from those deemed dangerous by the court.

Biden claims that such laws will stop mass shootings, like the one in Monterey Park (Calif.) on Jan. 21, 2023.

The shooting started at Star Dance Studio. It ended when a 26-year-old employee of another studio, Brandon Tsay took the gunman’s rifle and turned the gun on him. Later, the shooter aged 72 years was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Red Flag Laws are criticised by those who claim they deny people their constitutional due processes rights, confiscating property before any crime is committed.

The executive order calls for the Federal Trade Commission’s publication of a report on how gun companies market to children. It also requires federal officials reporting on gun dealers who violate the law. It also requires that stricter reporting be done on firearms lost or stolen during shipping. Finally, the federal government is required to offer assistance following a shooting, similar to aid given after a natural catastrophe.