President Joe Biden, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, announced a significant new executive order on gun violence prevention on Thursday, marking another attempt by the administration to address escalating gun-related threats. The move, which coincides with the anniversary of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, is expected to target emerging firearm technologies like 3D-printed guns and illegal machine gun conversion devices.
At the heart of the executive action is a new initiative aimed at combating the rise of 3D-printed firearms and machine gun conversion kits. These devices, often assembled from parts that can be printed using a 3D printer, pose a unique challenge to law enforcement due to their lack of serial numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace. Conversion devices, which can turn semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons, have been increasingly found at crime scenes across the country.
President Joe Biden has announced a new executive order to combat gun violence in America, including a ban on unserialized 3D-printed firearms and a task force to assess the threat posed by 3D-printed guns.
David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database told… pic.twitter.com/x7fXMYB7ZJ
— K-12 School Shooting Database (@K12ssdb) September 27, 2024
In addition to addressing these emerging firearm threats, Biden’s order directs the formation of an Emerging Firearms Threat Task Force. This body, composed of various federal agencies, is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of these technologies and recommend additional measures to counter them. Within 90 days, the task force will release a report detailing federal capabilities to detect and intercept these firearms and propose any necessary funding to Congress.
Beyond these technological threats, the executive order also prioritizes improving school safety. In response to widespread concerns over the psychological toll of active shooter drills on students, the administration will work with the Department of Education and other agencies to create guidelines that minimize trauma while still preparing schools for potential emergencies. This initiative comes at a time when many parents and educators are questioning the efficacy and safety of current drill practices.
When Biden & Harris’ mouths are moving they’re lying. Biden started out this little speech where you could barely hear him almost at a whisper. And then he just starts yelling like any dementia ridden patient would.
THEY WANT OUR GUNS!! pic.twitter.com/zqzcqvYLcx
— 🦅🗡️𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙥🗡️🦅 (@D_Trump24) September 26, 2024
In the broader scope of gun violence prevention, Biden’s order also promotes stricter enforcement of "red flag" laws and encourages safe firearm storage practices. These actions are intended to complement the administration's previous efforts, including the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which enhanced background checks for individuals under 21 and imposed stricter penalties for firearm trafficking.
Biden and Harris have used this platform to reinforce their commitment to curbing gun violence, a hallmark of their administration. Harris, who has been tasked with leading the newly created Office of Gun Violence Prevention, will play a central role in these efforts as she moves further into her leadership role during the 2024 campaign season.
The timing of this announcement is notable, coming just days after a mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, left four dead and 17 others injured. It underscores the urgency of the issue as the Biden administration looks to solidify its legacy on gun control heading into the 2024 election. The mass shooting has renewed calls for action, with many Americans demanding more concrete measures to reduce gun-related deaths.
While Biden’s executive actions seek to address pressing issues, the political landscape poses challenges to more sweeping reforms. Calls for universal background checks and an assault weapons ban remain stalled in Congress, where a more substantial Democratic majority would be necessary to pass such legislation.
