The Biden Administration Boosts Gun Violence Prevention and Gun Safety
After the 2022 massacre of 19 children and two
teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, the Biden administration
called for stricter gun legislation. The Uvalde shooting spurred a do-nothing
Congress to propose the first significant gun safety law in 30 years, which President
Biden signed in June of 2022. The president took further action on his own.
Gun violence is a persistent and critical issue
in the United States, claiming thousands of lives each year. From mass
shootings to daily incidents of gun-related homicides and suicides, the impact
on communities is profound.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the Biden
administration has prioritized gun violence prevention and gun safety,
implementing a range of measures aimed at curbing the epidemic. Let’s explore
the initiatives the Biden administration took to address gun violence,
highlighting the key actions and their potential impact on public safety.
Before delving into the specifics of the Biden
administration's efforts, it is essential to understand the historical context
of gun violence in the United States. For decades, gun violence has been a
contentious topic, with debates often polarized between gun control advocates
and Second Amendment proponents. Despite the staggering statistics, with over
45,000 gun-related deaths in 2020 alone, legislative progress has been slow and
often stalled by political gridlock.
From the onset of his presidency, President Joe
Biden signaled his commitment to tackling gun violence through a series of
executive actions. These actions are designed to address various facets of the
gun violence epidemic.
Biden established the Office of Gun Violence
Prevention, and in 2023 schools were awarded $286 million in federal dollars to
support student wellness and school mental health professionals.
Biden proclaimed that kids’ safety from gun
violence is “on the ballot” when he announced the creation of the new office —
and that proclamation has seeped into official White House business and his
reelection campaign. Vice President Kamala Harris has taken the lead in
mobilizing young Americans concerned about gun violence, visiting schools
around the nation, and touting new money awarded from the gun safety bill.
Schools will continue to receive millions of
dollars over the next five years to address youth mental health and student
wellness as the remaining cash from the legislation’s $1 billion in funding is
distributed.
One of the administration's primary targets is
the regulation of "ghost guns"—firearms that can be assembled at home
from kits or 3D-printed, making them untraceable and accessible without
background checks. In April 2021, the Justice Department proposed a rule to
require serial numbers on ghost guns and for sellers to conduct background
checks on buyers of these kits.
The Biden administration also supports the
expansion and enforcement of "red flag" laws, which allow family
members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily remove firearms
from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others. These laws have been
shown to reduce the risk of gun violence by preemptively addressing potential
threats.
The administration has pushed for the closure of
the "Charleston loophole," which allows firearm sales to proceed if a
background check is not completed within three business days. This loophole was
exploited by the perpetrator of the 2015 Charleston church shooting,
highlighting the need for more stringent background check procedures.
While these executive actions present significant
steps in countering gun violence, lasting change requires legislative support.
The Biden administration has endorsed several bills aimed at enhancing gun
safety and violence prevention.
1. Universal Background Checks
One of the cornerstone proposals is the
implementation of universal background checks for all gun sales, including
private and online transactions. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021,
which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021, aims to close
loopholes that allow individuals to purchase firearms without undergoing
background checks.
2. Assault Weapons Ban
The administration also advocates for reinstating
the federal assault weapons ban, which was in effect from 1994 to 2004. The ban
aimed to reduce the prevalence of semi-automatic firearms and high-capacity
magazines, often used in mass shootings . Although controversial, proponents
argue that such measures can significantly reduce the lethality of mass
shooting incidents.
3. Enhanced Storage Requirements
To prevent accidental shootings, particularly
among children, the Biden administration supports legislation mandating the safe
storage of firearms. This includes requirements for gun owners to use gun safes
or locks and to store ammunition separately from firearms.
Community
Violence Intervention Programs
In addition to regulatory and legislative
measures, the Biden administration emphasizes the importance of community-based
approaches to gun violence prevention. These programs focus on addressing the
root causes of violence and providing support to affected communities.
1. Funding for Community Programs
The American Rescue Plan, signed into law in
March 2021, includes significant funding for community violence intervention
programs. These initiatives provide resources for violence interrupters, who
work to mediate conflicts and prevent retaliatory violence, and support
services for individuals at risk of involvement in gun violence.
2. Promoting Public Health Approaches
The administration advocates for treating gun
violence as a public health crisis, promoting research and data collection to
inform policy decisions. This approach involves collaboration between public
health agencies, law enforcement, and community organizations to develop
comprehensive strategies to reduce gun violence.
Impact
on Public Safety
The Biden administration's multifaceted approach
to gun violence prevention and gun safety holds promise for significant
improvements in public safety. By addressing the accessibility of firearms,
enhancing regulatory frameworks, and supporting community-based interventions,
these efforts aim to reduce the incidence of gun violence and its devastating
effects on communities.
1. Reducing Homicides and Suicides
Research indicates that stricter gun laws and
effective enforcement can lead to reductions in gun-related homicides and
suicides. For example, states with universal background check laws and robust
red flag laws tend to have lower rates of firearm deaths. The administration's
support for these measures aligns with evidence-based practices shown to save
lives.
2. Mitigating Mass Shootings
Although mass shootings constitute a small
percentage of overall gun violence, their impact on public perception and
safety is substantial. Policies such as assault weapon bans and restrictions on
high-capacity magazines are specifically designed to reduce the likelihood and
lethality of these tragic events.
3. Enhancing Community Resilience
Community violence intervention programs not only
prevent immediate acts of violence but also contribute to long-term community
resilience. By addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education,
and limited access to mental health services, these programs help build
stronger, safer communities.
Criticisms and Counterarguments
Despite the comprehensive nature of the Biden
administration's approach, it faces criticisms and counterarguments from
various quarters. Understanding these perspectives is essential for a balanced
view of the ongoing debate.
1. Second Amendment Concerns
Opponents of stricter gun control measures often
cite the Second Amendment, arguing that increased regulation infringes upon the
constitutional right to bear arms. They contend that responsible gun ownership
should not be penalized due to the actions of a minority of individuals.
2. Effectiveness of Legislation
Skeptics also question the effectiveness of
certain legislative measures, such as the assault weapons ban, in significantly
reducing gun violence. They argue that focusing on specific types of firearms
may overlook broader issues related to enforcement and cultural attitudes
toward guns.
3. Implementation Challenges
Implementing new regulations and ensuring
compliance can be challenging, particularly in areas with strong pro-gun
sentiments. Effective enforcement requires cooperation between federal, state,
and local authorities, as well as adequate funding and resources.
The Biden administration's efforts to enhance gun
violence prevention and gun safety represent a significant step toward
addressing a critical public health issue. Through a combination of executive
actions, legislative support, and community-based interventions, the
administration aims to reduce the incidence and impact of gun violence in the
United States.
While challenges and criticisms remain, the focus
on evidence-based strategies and comprehensive approaches holds promise for
creating safer communities. As the nation continues to grapple with the
complexities of gun violence, these initiatives provide a foundation for
meaningful progress and hope for a future with fewer gun-related tragedies.
References
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). "Firearm Injury and
Death Prevention." Retrieved from [CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/firearm-violence/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/firearms/fastfact.html
Department
of Justice (DOJ). (2021). " Frame and Receiver Rule Goes into Effect."
Retrieved from [DOJ] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/frame-and-receiver-rule-goes-effect#:~:text=To%20help%20reduce%20the%20number,firearms%20they%20take%20into%20inventory.
Giffords
Law Center. (2021). "Extreme Risk Protection Orders." Retrieved from
[Giffords]https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/who-can-have-a-gun/extreme-risk-protection-orders/
Everytown
for Gun Safety. (2021). "Charleston Loophole." Retrieved from
[Everytown](https://everytownresearch.org/report/the-charleston-loophole/)
House
of Representatives. (2021). "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of
2021." Retrieved from [Congress.gov]https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8
Brady
Campaign. (2021). "Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines."
Retrieved from [Brady] https://www.bradyunited.org/resources/issues/what-are-assault-weapons-and-high-capacity-magazines
The
White House. (2024). "The American Rescue Plan." Retrieved from
[White House] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/11/the-american-rescue-plan-arp-top-highlights-from-3-years-of-recovery/
JAMA
Network Open (2022). Association of State-Level Firearm-Related Deaths With
Firearm Laws in Neighboring States. Retrieved from (JAMA Network) https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2798210
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