To combat crime, Biden plans to bypass Congress to restrict Americans from building their own guns
President Joe Biden is set to implement new restrictions on so-called "ghost guns" this week in hopes that fresh gun control measures will help combat the ongoing scourge of violence in the country.
What are the details?
In a press conference Monday, the president and the Department of Justice are expected to announce the finalization of a new rule asserting that unfinished gun parts sold in the kits will now qualify as firearms under federal law.
With the rule, the Biden administration reportedly aims to "rein in the proliferation" of "ghost guns," or privately made, non-serialized guns, which they say have been turning up at crime scenes more frequently over the last year.
In essence, it will require those who manufacture and sell guns from kits to be licensed and add serial numbers to the products so that the weapons can be traced.
"This final rule bans the business of manufacturing the most accessible ghost guns, such as unserialized 'buy build shoot' kits that individuals can buy online or at a store without a background check and can readily assemble into a working firearm in as little as 30 minutes with equipment they have at home," the White House announced in a news release.
"This rule clarifies that these kits qualify as 'firearms' under the Gun Control Act, and that commercial manufacturers of such kits must therefore become licensed and include serial numbers on the kits’ frame or receiver, and commercial sellers of these kits must become federally licensed and run background checks prior to a sale— just like they have to do with other commercially-made firearms," it continued.
The rule was first issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives last May and has been making its way through the federal regulatory process for nearly a year.
In addition to the new federal rule, Biden plans to call on Congress to "ban the sale and possession of unserialized firearms" as well as "assault weapons and high-capacity magazines."
What is the reaction?
Gun control advocates have praised the forthcoming rule as a way to combat crime in the country. But Republicans argue that Democrats are merely using rising crime as a foil in order to ram through their real agenda; which is to further restrict Americans' Second Amendment rights.
Gun rights advocates have long decried leftist attempts to restrict Americans' Second Amendment rights in this way, calling the private manufacture of firearms "something that's been legal since the founding of the country."
In response to the news, conservative Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) reiterated that claim and further slammed the president for bypassing Congress to implement what effectively amounts to gun control legislation.
"The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to prevent you from making your own firearm. This [is] a fact that has been recognized for 200+ years. Also, Article 1, Section 1 (literally the first operative sentence in the Constitution) says Congress makes law, not POTUS!" Rep. Thomas Massie wrote in a tweet.
The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to prevent you from making your own firearm. This a fact that has been recognized for 200+ years. Also, Article 1, Section 1 (literally the first operative sentence in the Constitution) says Congress makes law, not POTUS!pic.twitter.com/vTFRvKYTVi— Thomas Massie (@Thomas Massie) 1649636708
Other gun-rights advocates and groups have also expressed opposition to the rule.
According to USA Today, Gun Owners of America has vowed to immediately sue to halt the new regulations and has called on Congress to block the implementation of the rule using the Congressional Review Act.
In a statement to Fox News, the National Rifle Association discredited Biden's claims that the new rule will help combat crime.
"An administration that’s truly sincere and resolute about curbing violent crime rates would do one thing: take violent criminals off the streets immediately," NRA managing director of public affairs Andrew Arulanandam said. "Yet, the Biden administration allows these criminals who kill and maim with callous and reckless abandon, again and again, to roam the streets of Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities large and small across our country without fear of prosecution and punishment."
What else?
During the press conference, Biden and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will also announce the president's nomination of former U.S. attorney Steve Dettelbach to serve as his ATF director.
The White House was forced to withdraw Biden's previous nominee, David Chipman, in September, after the progressive former ATF agent faced unanimous opposition from Republicans in the Senate.
Biden calls Glock handgun with 40-round mag a 'weapon of war' in gun control remarks
President Joe Biden referred to the Glock .45 handgun, a popular firearm available in the civilian market, as a "weapon of war" during a recent gun control announcement.
What are the details?
The president was launching into remarks Thursday during a meeting with his Gun Violence Prevention Task Force when he made mention of fallen New York City Police Department officers Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27, who were ambushed and killed while responding to a domestic call last month.
"I’ve spoken to their families, and — and their loss for the city is also a loss for the nation," Biden said, adding, "You know, the future is cut short by a man with a stolen Glock with 40 rounds — a magazine with 40 rounds. And it’s really a weapon of war."
He went on to say, "One of the things I was proudest of years ago when I was in the Senate — I was able to get these weapons and the size of magazines outlawed. That got changed. It got overruled. But I don’t see any rationale [as] to why there should be such a weapon able to be purchased."
"It doesn’t violate anybody’s Second Amendment rights to deny that," he argued. "But anyway, their futures were cut short by a man with a stolen Glock and that 40-round magazine."
Biden says that a \u201cglock with 40 rounds\u201d is \u201ca weapon of war\u201dpic.twitter.com/dwL4EGWxOw— Greg Price (@Greg Price) 1643913453
The man accused of killing Mora and Rivera, 47-year-old Lashawn McNeil, abruptly opened fire on the officers with a Glock .45 handgun with a 40-round magazine as they approached the back bedroom of an apartment where he was staying. McNeil's mother had reportedly called the police after getting into a fight with her son.
What else?
Biden appeared to imply the mere existence of the semi-automatic handgun outside of a military environment was a primary cause of the crime.
But American Military News pointed out that federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms and New York state law prohibits possession of firearm magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.
At the time of the shooting — which occurred in Harlem, New York — McNeil was on probation. According to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig, he had a criminal history that included a gun charge in North Carolina, an assault on a police officer in Pennsylvania, and a felony narcotics charge in New York City.
The Glock .45 is one of the most popular handguns sold in the United States, according to Gun Source. It uses 9x19mm ammo and is normally sold with a standard mag capacity of 17.
Anything else?
Later in the meeting, Biden suggested limitations to the Second Amendment as a way to curb gun crime, alleging that "no amendment is absolute."
He also repeated a dubious claim that when the amendment was passed, private citizens weren't allowed to purchase cannons. That statement has been fact-checked and declared "false."
"There’s no violation of the Second Amendment right," he said. "We talk like there’s no amendment that’s absolute. When the amendment was passed it didn’t say anybody can own a gun, any kind of gun, and any kind of weapon. You couldn’t buy a cannon when this amendment was passed so there’s no reason why you should be able to buy certain assault weapons. But that’s another issue."
Biden admin issues new gun control rule in response to Michigan school shooting
The Biden administration announced a new firearms rule this week in response to last year's tragic school shooting in Michigan that aims to ensure that all gun owners have secure storage devices for their guns.
What are the details?
The new rule, detailed in a Department of Justice press release issued Monday, requires all federally licensed gun retailers to certify that they have secure gun storage devices that are specifically compatible with the firearms they are selling available on-site to customers.
According to the Justice Department, acceptable devices "include a safe, gun safe, gun case, lock box, or other device that is designed to be or can be used to store a firearm and that is designed to be unlocked only by means of a key, a combination, or other similar means."
The new rule amends and officially codifies gun storage requirements already mandated under the Gun Control Act of 1999 for new Federal Firearms License applicants. With the new rule, the requirements will be law for "any place where firearms are sold under the license to non-licensed individuals."
The department also noted that "integral to the new rule is the requirement that FFLs have available secure gun storage options that are compatible with the firearms they are selling."
The rule has been submitted to the Federal Register for publication and is set to go into effect on Feb. 3. It can be read in its entirety here.
What else?
In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the policy is intended "to reduce the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands." He added that it builds on the Justice Department's efforts to cut down on gun crime.
“Gun safety is a Department of Justice priority, and we will continue to take all appropriate steps to help reduce the number of people killed and injured by the misuse of firearms," Garland said.
Lars Dalseide, a spokesman for the National Rifle Association, responded to the news by telling the Washington Times that the gun-rights group “has always supported the safe storage of firearms.”
Bearing Arms, a pro-Second Amendment blog, noted that for new guns the change isn’t a big deal since new guns generally come with gun locks that would qualify under the regulation.
"But the problem is that many gun stores sell used guns, which means they have to also have some means of gun storage on-site regardless of what comes with new firearms," he added. "That means already limited inventory space is going to have to be filled with expensive and often unnecessary gun storage options."
Anything else?
The Times noted that the rule change came just one month after the arrest of the parents of Ethan Crumbley, the 15-year-old Michigan student who killed four and injured seven others using a firearm he took from his parents' home.
The parents, James and Jennifer Crumbley, were charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter on Dec. 3 for failing to prevent the shooting, in part, by failing to secure the 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 they had purchased only days before.
In charging documents, Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald said the gun had been stored in an unlocked drawer in the parents' bedroom and claimed that the parents ignored several warning signs indicating that their son would carry out the egregious act.
Report: Biden admin stockpiling millions of records on US gun owners; some fear it could be the precursor to a federal database
The Biden administration is quickly amassing millions of records on U.S. gun owners in what some gun-rights advocates fear could be the precursor to a federal registry, the Washington Free Beacon reported over the weekend.
According to an internal document obtained by the news outlet, under President Biden's direction, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has collected more than 54 million out-of-business records detailing gun transactions and other private firearm information in the past year alone.
Since 1968, U.S. law has required licensed firearms retailers that go out of business to transfer their private records detailing gun transactions to the ATF's National Tracing Center Division repository in West Virginia — a site that stores so many paper records that a floor recently collapsed under the weight.
This data-collecting practice is touted as a crime-stopping tool that has assisted law enforcement agencies in countless criminal investigations. But many gun-rights advocates are concerned that the practice will ultimately be abused by the Biden administration given the president's enthusiastic support for widespread gun reform.
Specifically, the advocates fear that the information will be used to create a national database of all gun owners, something that is strictly prohibited under the Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 but has long been floated by anti-gun groups.
Currently, gun retailers are not required to keep records beyond a 20-year period. But the Federalist reported that the administration and its anti-gun partners "want to change that and are largely in favor of heavier federal oversight that mandates a digitized registry that can be searched."
If such an action were taken, it would enable federal authorities to undermine the Second Amendment rights of millions of Americans.
"If a national database is created," the Federalist warned, "thousands of gun owners could be sought out by the administration to 'register or destroy' any firearms or related equipment that the Democrat administration seeks to restrict or even ban."
But the Biden administration insists that the creation of a digital federal registry is not in its plans despite the concerns of gun-rights advocates.
In response to the Free Beacon's request for comment, an ATF spokesman confirmed the agency's "National Tracing Center processes millions of out of business records each month" but said that "those out of business records do not constitute an initiation or continuation of any federal gun registry."
Biden called out for oft-repeated lies during gun control speech
President Joe Biden was called out for lying to the American people in a speech about gun control Thursday, during which he repeated a debunked claim about the supposed "gun show loophole" and falsely claimed that gun manufacturers are "exempt from being sued."
What are the details?
Earlier Thursday, the White House issued a news release announcing six executive actions aimed at addressing what the Biden administration called a "gun violence public health epidemic" facing America. The new actions included forthcoming regulations on so-called "ghost guns" and pistol braces, as well as the creation of a model "red flag" law for the states.
Then, during a Rose Garden speech summarizing the actions Thursday afternoon, Biden called on Congress to greatly expand the initiatives and pass laws banning assault weapons, eliminating gun manufacturer immunity, and ending the "gun show loophole."
Biden announces new gun restrictions, calls for ban on assault weapons youtu.be
The problem is, the latter two actions highlighted by the president are talking points not truth, and Washington Free Beacon firearms expert Stephen Gutowski wasn't about to let Biden's deception go unnoticed.
In a pair of tweets, Gutowski explained, "Biden just lied about how background checks work. He said gun shows are exempt from background check requirements. That is completely false. All that matters in terms of background checks is whether you are buying from a licensed dealer or not."
He added: "Biden also falsely said gun manufacturers are 'the only outfit that's exempt from being sued.' Biden wants to repeal the [Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act] which only prevents lawsuits based on the criminal misuse of their products by third parties. Gun makers can [be] & are sued for other reasons."
Biden also falsely said gun manufacturers are "the only outfit that's exempt from being sued." Biden wants to repea… https://t.co/GjgDiOCjWF— Stephen Gutowski (@Stephen Gutowski)1617899160.0
The gun show loophole is an oft-repeated myth that seemingly will not die. As the Federalist pointed out back when then-Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was calling for the end of the magical loophole, "It does not exist. There is no loophole in federal law that specifically exempts gun show transactions from any other laws normally applied to gun sales. Not one."
The only time a background check is not required under federal law is when two private residents of the same state who are not federal firearms licensees engage in a transaction of a firearm. It's the identity of the parties involved in the transaction that matters, not the venue.
As for the claim that gun manufacturers are "exempt from being sued," well that's patently false, too. Gutowski rightly points out that while the PLCAA, also known as the Child Safety Lock Act, protects manufacturers from liability when people use their products to commit crimes, firearms makers are still legally allowed to be sued in numerous other ways.
Anything else?
Making matters worse, White House press secretary Jen Psaki appeared to repeat one of the president's lies during a White House press briefing a few hours later.
When she was asked by a reporter, "Is it the president's belief that you do not have to undergo a background check when you are at a gun show?" Psaki seemed to misunderstand the question and responded in a way that implicitly affirmed the myth.
"No it's not his belief. He believes that background checks should be universal," she said.
Biden announces 6 executive actions on guns — including 'ghost gun' regulation, model 'red flag' legislation
President Joe Biden on Thursday unveiled six executive actions intended to address what his administration calls the current "gun violence public health epidemic" facing America. Included among the actions were forthcoming regulations on so-called "ghost guns" — makeshift weapons which can be assembled at home or that lack a serial number — and model "red flag" laws.
The actions come nearly 80 days into Biden's presidency, despite the president's long-standing intent to initiate gun reform and pressure from gun control advocates to enact measures to restrict firearm access earlier. In his rollout of the actions, the administration cited a spate of recent mass shootings as an impetus.
"The recent high-profile mass shootings in Boulder — taking the lives of 10 individuals — and Atlanta — taking the lives of eight individuals, including six Asian American women — underscored the relentlessness of this epidemic," reads a news release issued by the White House.
What are the details?
The first action directs the Department of Justice to issue a rule to help stop the proliferation of "ghost guns" within 30 days.
"We are experiencing a growing problem: criminals are buying kits containing nearly all of the components and directions for finishing a firearm within as little as 30 minutes and using these firearms to commit crimes," the news release stated. "When these firearms turn up at crime scenes, they often cannot be traced by law enforcement due to the lack of a serial number."
Under the second action, the DOJ is commissioned to issue a rule "make clear when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively turns a pistol into a short-barreled rifle subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act."
In the third action, Biden directs the DOJ to publish model "red flag" legislation — which allows a family member, friend, or member of law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily bar a troubled or dangerous individual from accessing a gun. The administration suggested that the model legislation could act as a stand-in until Congress and state legislatures pass permanent red flag legislation of their own.
The fourth and fifth actions, respectively, outline investments in "community violence interventions" and direct the DOJ to publish an annual report on firearms trafficking.
Lastly, for the sixth action, Biden announced his intention to nominate David Chipman, a gun reform advocate, to serve as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, a key agency in gun law enforcement.
What else?
With the rollout of new actions, it appears the Biden administration is trying to toe the line. The administration likely hopes the measures will temporarily satisfy Democratic lawmakers in Congress and progressive activists, who have been relentless in their calls for stricter gun laws.
But the new actions don't go anywhere near as far as expected based on the promises Biden made during his presidential campaign.
As a candidate, Biden pledged that on day one of his presidency he would reinstate a ban on assault weapons, launch a voluntary gun buyback program, and close a litany of supposed background check loopholes, among other actions.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signs bill to defy any new federal gun control laws
Republican Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona signed a bill on Tuesday that would ban local governments and employees from enforcing or aiding any infringement on gun rights imposed by the federal government.
House Bill 2111 was passed by the Arizona House and Senate in an attempt to preempt any new regulation of guns by the Biden administration.
"The state of Arizona and its political subdivisions are prohibited from utilizing any financial resources or state personnel to administer, cooperate with or enforce any law, act, order, rule, treaty or regulation of the federal government that is inconsistent with any law of this state regarding the regulation of firearms," read the text of the legislation.
Biden has promised to seek a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines in the wake of several mass killings after he assumed office.
Critics of the bill included Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone who said there was a "political motivation" behind it.
"It's one of those emotional issues but as far as the impact on law enforcement, it will create confusion or challenges more than benefits or protecting the Second Amendment," Penzone said to KTAR radio on Thursday.
Others say that the law will lead to litigation that will have to be paid with taxpayer money. Moms Demand Action, a gun control advocacy group, gathered over 2,400 signatures opposing the bill and presented them to Ducey's office hours before he signed it into law.
Democratic Arizona state Sen. Lisa Otondo assured gun owners that their rights were safe.
"Nobody is trying to take away your guns, not for the protection of your family, your property, nor your Second Amendment right to own them,'' Otondo said.
Despite those assurances, gun sales have skyrocketed first over fears of instability from the pandemic lockdowns and later when President Joe Biden was elected.
Here's more about gun sales surging after Biden's election victory:
Gun Sales Surgewww.youtube.com
Crowder: 'I'm calling it. Biden's press conference was an unmitigated disaster.'
Steven Crowder, the "Louder with Crowder" crew, and comedian Dave Landau provided live coverage during President Joe Biden's first press conference Thursday. The guys answered fan questions to close out the livestream.
One fan asked, "Since the Left took control of the government they haven't attempted to pass one thing the Left voters wanted, but instead have attacked the Right via gun rights and removing everything Trump did. Do you think the Democratic voters are starting to wake up?"
In his response, Crowder said he believes some Democratic voters are waking up, but he sees more of a restructuring of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Watch the video below for more.
What else?
Crowder kicked off the show with "exclusive footage" of President Biden preparing for his first press conference. Watch the parody here.
Following the livestream, Crowder posted a tweet calling the press conference a "unmitigated disaster."
Watch the clips for more. Can't watch? Download the podcast.
Are Democrat Voters Starting To Wake Up? Press Conference Wrap-Up | Louder With Crowder
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Biden 'Attempts' to Talk About Abusing the Filibuster | Louder With Crowder
EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE! Biden Prepares for First Press Conference! | Louder With Crowder
Steven Crowder on Twitter
I'm calling it. The #bidenpressconference was an unmitigated disaster. https://t.co/zIrALljus3— Steven Crowder (@Steven Crowder)1616699685.0
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Biden Completely EMBARRASSES Himself Talking About “High Caliber” 9mm Bullets