President Biden has announced new firearms restrictions after describing US gun violence as an "international embarrassment."
He made the announcement on Thursday (April 8) during a press conference at the Rose Garden, explaining that the orders were a response to the recent mass shootings in Georgia, Colorado, and California.
"Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it's an international embarrassment," he said. "Every day in this country, 316 people are shot. Every single day. A hundred and six of them die every day."
The 78-year-old then revealed his plan of instructions to the Department of Justice.
He announced that David Chipman, a gun control advocate, has been nominated to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
A limitation will also now be placed on "ghost guns", which typically don't have serial numbers as they are made from kits and/or parts that are purchased online.
The President has asked the DOJ to make serial numbers mandatory on all parts of manufactured guns, and a background check must be performed prior to their purchase as well as registering it in a person's name.
Biden also plans "to treat pistols modified with stabilizing braces with the seriousness they deserve", with the President adding that stabilizing braces make pistols "a hell of a lot more accurate and a mini-rifle" and "more lethal."
The rules in the National Firearms Act that apply to silencer add-ons could also apply to modified weapons.
In order to own one, a person must submit their name to the DOJ and pay a $200 fee.
Biden also told the DOJ to nationally implement "red flag" laws, which allow the police or family members to petition in court against a person owning a firearm if they are believed to be a threat.
The President explained that this will hopefully cut the risk of homicide and suicide.
"States that have red flag laws have seen and - seen a reduction in the number of suicides in their states," he said.
As part of the proposed new restrictions, Biden is also urging the Senate to pass three House-passed bills which will close current loopholes that enable people to bypass firearms background checks.
The first of these bills is an online background check for firearms purchasers, closing the "Charleston" loophole which allows guns to be bought if the seller has conducted an FBI background check in three days, as well as the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that stops known abusers from owning guns.
Biden is also urging the DOJ and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to issue an annual firearms tracking report – something that has not been done since 2000.
"We got a long way to go," Biden said at the Rose Garden. "It always seems like we always have a long way to go. But today, we're taking steps to confront not just the gun crisis, but what is actually a public health crisis."
