Second Amendment supporters worry about potential restrictions on private gun sales under the Biden administration.
Vice President Kamala Harris Encouraged by Progress in Gun Control Agenda
Vice President Kamala Harris recently addressed a group of gun control activists, expressing her optimism about the advances made by the Biden administration in implementing its gun control agenda. Speaking at Gun Sense University, an annual gathering sponsored by Everytown for Gun Safety, Ms. Harris emphasized the importance of “common sense gun safety laws” and highlighted the widespread support for such measures among Americans.
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While gun rights activists acknowledge Ms. Harris’s optimism, they argue that it stems from the support of a minority of congressional Republicans who tipped the scales in favor of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) in June 2022. This led to an executive order on March 14, 2023, which enlisted various federal agencies to implement aspects of the BSCA without congressional oversight. Second Amendment advocates claim that one of these changes could potentially eliminate legal private gun sales.
The White House did not respond to an email seeking comment for this story.
An Aug. 1 New York Times report raised concerns about gun control activists’ push to require individuals engaged in “for-profit” private online gun sales to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and adhere to the same regulations as brick and mortar gun dealers. Currently, private sellers can post guns for sale, but all sales must comply with applicable laws, including the involvement of an FFL holder in firearm shipping.
The BSCA, hailed as “the most significant gun safety legislation in 30 years,” redefined the definition of a gun dealer, focusing solely on profit-seeking rather than livelihood. However, the exact boundaries of this change remain unclear.
According to The New York Times, gun control activists propose classifying anyone who sells five or fewer guns per year as a gun dealer. This would subject even small-scale sellers to the same regulations as large retail stores, including background checks and record-keeping.
Reports suggest that the Biden administration has directed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to issue a rule clarifying the definition of a gun dealer. Second Amendment advocates argue that this rule would effectively ban private transfers of firearms and establish a de facto universal background check and national gun registry system.
An ATF spokesperson stated that any rule would be developed in accordance with proper rulemaking policies. The public will be notified when the proposed rule is submitted to the federal register.
Aidan Johnston, director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, expressed concerns about the potential burden on private citizens who engage in occasional gun sales. He highlighted the complexities of obtaining an FFL and complying with government regulations.
Second Amendment supporters argue that these changes would effectively eliminate private sales. They believe that without action, gun control forces will continue to make progress in their efforts to disarm the public.
Contrary to these concerns, Vice President Harris, speaking at the Gun Sense University gathering, emphasized her support for the Second Amendment while advocating for stricter regulations to enhance community safety. She credited the attendees for their role in the passage of the BSCA and acknowledged that more work needs to be done, particularly in implementing universal background checks.
Gun Control Making Headway
Gun rights supporters warn that failure to address these issues will allow gun control forces to further advance their agenda of disarming the public.
“The other side wants everything, they want the Second Amendment,” said Aidan Johnston.
Despite differing perspectives, the conversation surrounding gun control continues, with both sides actively engaged in shaping the future of firearms legislation.
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