Staff Reports
In its latest gun control push, the Biden administration believes that adding more state bureaucracy can help prevent gun violence. The White House introduced its “Safer States Initiative” on Wednesday, with Vice President Kamala Harris at the forefront. A fact sheet outlined the measures that the Biden administration is urging states to take, beginning with the establishment of dedicated offices for gun violence prevention, similar to the one already in place at the White House.
Biden Admin Announces New Gun Control Push That Includes Two Executive Actions and a Pressure Campaign Against States via @WestJournalism https://t.co/Pn6ToM4dHo
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The White House also mentioned taking executive action by providing model legislation that states should adopt, focusing on matters such as firearms storage and reporting of lost or stolen guns to authorities. Stefanie Feldman, the director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, commented on the progress made by the administration at the federal level, stating that they will continue to work alongside states to advance their gun control agenda.
Feldman explained that the White House initiative is a response to state legislators who wish to do more in reducing gun violence. The eight-page document of the “Safe States Agenda” provides guidance to states on what they should do, including options for funding. The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention will work with states to ensure they have the necessary resources to pursue this agenda. Building and strengthening Crime Gun Intelligence Centers is one key objective, with the goal of generating leads and identifying gun trafficking channels.
The document also recommends using American Rescue Plan funding to support community violence intervention programs. Responsible gun ownership, background checks, and responses to incidents of gun violence are also addressed in the document. Notably, the agenda stresses the need to hold the gun industry accountable, calling for states to implement gun control policies proposed by the Biden administration. This includes banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, possession of unserialized firearms, and adding more regulations and inspections for gun dealers. Moreover, the agenda urges state legislation to end the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which protects gun manufacturers from liability.
