Staff Reports
President Biden has decided to formally get his feet wet in the gun control debate yet again, signing an executive order aimed at combating what he describes as serious gun violence in America. The new measure aims at restricting firearm technology with a particular focus on disarming innovation, targeting 3D-printed guns that, in the eyes of the Biden administration, are akin to flying under the radar without serial numbers. Additionally, there’s a plan to tackle the oh-so-menacing devices that transform semiautomatic firearms into rapid-fire machines. This move will undoubtedly thrill those who believe that banning toy-looking guns will single-handedly prevent crime.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement comes complete with a shiny new task force, which will report back to the Biden White House in just 90 days—precisely the time it takes to have a pizza delivered. This task force will supposedly focus on federal law enforcement’s capacity to detect and seize these rapid-fire gadgets. It also offers a hefty $135 million to states to expand red flag laws, which cater to the ever-trendy notion that some folks might need their guns confiscated if deemed a danger. Because why not let the state decide who is “dangerous” right?
Biden, Harris cheer new gun-control executive actionshttps://t.co/lKvG2CtEuT pic.twitter.com/ZmxGIsHt18
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 27, 2024
Anyone surprised by the President’s proposal for enhanced background checks for young gun buyers (ages 18 to 20) should be given an extra scoop of the “this is not going to stop criminals” ice cream. According to Biden, we need to “do more” to tackle gun violence, as if recounting statistics about tragic events was going to remove the wrongdoers from our streets magically. Enter Vice President Kamala Harris, who jumped on the bandwagon to lament the so-called “epidemic of gun violence.” It raises the question: how about addressing why individuals are committing these crimes rather than just what tools they are using?
Support for these new measures follows the tried-and-true method of garnering applause from gun-control advocacy groups and those with deep pockets and faint understanding of the Second Amendment. Take former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who, despite being a gun violence victim, seems eager to embrace measures that would further restrict law-abiding citizens rather than addressing root causes. These actions come on the heels of alarming mass shootings, but rather than target the criminals at their core, the administration seems laser-focused on making gun ownership harder for responsible citizens.
While Biden gears up to tackle trauma-related to school drills aimed at preparing kids for active shooter situations, it’s worth noting he’s collecting wisdom from various federal agencies. In an age where immediate solutions are demanded, the White House believes a report in 110 days will somehow transform the approach to such drills. Meanwhile, gun rights advocates are already pointing out the glaring inconsistency in these orders, claiming they are mere theatrics with no real heft behind them. They argue that focusing on superficial bans does nothing to stop real criminals, insisting that unless there’s a stronger commitment to support police and enforce laws that actually keep people safe, these actions are just a symbolic dance in place.
As another layer of red tape and regulation gets rolled out by the Biden administration, the reality remains that while they may dry away tears and create headlines, the true solution to America’s gun violence problem lies far beyond the reach of executive orders.
