With his term approaching its conclusion, President Joe Biden today signed a new executive order aimed at curbing gun violence in the U.S. amid escalating concerns over firearm safety and school shootings.
During a press briefing, Biden expressed his commitment to tackling the issue head-on. “We must act,” he stated, highlighting the need to address the surge in unserialized, 3D-printed guns and machine gun conversion devices.
On his X account earlier, Biden shared, “Today, I’ll sign an Executive Order to crack down on these emerging firearm threats.” This action directs his Cabinet to bolster school-based active shooter drills, reflecting a proactive approach to enhance safety.
Additionally, Biden remarked on the staggering gun statistics in the U.S., noting, “Gun violence remains the number one cause of death for children in America—surpassing disease or accidents.”
The president also outlined the first component of the executive order, which targets machine gun conversion devices. These gadgets, capable of transforming handguns into automatic weapons, are already illegal. However, their continued illicit use has prompted stricter enforcement under the new legislation.
The order also addresses the challenge posed by 3D-printed, unlicensed guns lacking serial numbers. These weapons can evade detection by standard security measures like scanners and metal detectors.
In the second part of the order, Biden has called on various departments, including Homeland Security and Education, to draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for regular safety drills in schools and other vulnerable sites.
Biden emphasized the importance of comprehensive checks on gun sales and ammunition. He also appealed for an end to immunity for gun manufacturers and accountability for parents who permit their children access to firearms.
As he prepares to sign the order, Biden has renewed his call for a total ban on assault weapons and urged Congress and Republican leaders to take decisive action on gun control. “We have to do something together. Let’s ban assault weapons,” he urged, underscoring the collective effort needed to stem the tide of gun violence.
This executive order is part of a broader strategy to address the dire situation of gun violence in the U.S., which has seen at least 385 mass shooting incidents this year alone, averaging over 1.5 mass shootings daily.
