Monday, June 7, 2021

DOJ Announces New Steps To Reduce Gun Violence


The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced, on Monday, it has taken Steps to Reduce Gun Violence by tackling the Use of Stabilizing Devices that Convert Pistols into Rifles, and by Publishing Model Legislation on Red Flag Laws.

The Steps follow-up on President Biden's Executive Actions, in April, which gave DOJ 60 days to Act on both Issues.

Executive Actions

- The DOJ will Issue a Proposed Rule to Help Stop the Proliferation of Ghost Guns. Ghost Guns are Untraceable when they turn up at Crime Scenes because they don’t have Serial Numbers. The Senior administration Officials said Ghost Guns are a growing Problem and are made through Kits containing nearly All Components of a Gun, with Assembly Directions.

- The DOJ will Publish Model Red Flag Legislation for States. Red flag Laws would allow Police or Family Members to Petition Courts to Temporarily Remove Firearms from People in Crisis. Red flag Laws gained Momentum after a spate of Mass Shootings in 2019 when some Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), proposed Legislation that would make it easier for Law Enforcement to Identify potentially Dangerous Individuals and get a Judge’s Order to Confiscate their Guns. Trump initially Supported the Idea before Backing Away, and No such Federal Legislation was ever Passed.

- The DOJ will Issue a Proposed Rule to make Clear that when a Stabilizing Device effectively turns a Pistol into a Short-Barreled Rifle, that Firearm is Subject to the Requirement of the National Firearms Act. The alleged Shooter in Boulder used a Pistol with an Arm Brace, which makes a Firearm more Stable and Accurate.

Biden will also take Action toward Evidence-based Community Violence Intervention Programs that can be used as Tools “without turning to incarceration,” according to the Officials. Five Federal Agencies will be making Changes to 26 Different Programs to Support Community Violence Intervention Programs.

The Executive Actions come weeks after the Shootings in Colorado and Georgia, the First High-Profile Mass Shootings of the Biden Administration. The President had Vowed to take Action in his First 100 days to Tackle Gun Violence after years of Inaction by Congress, and it remains Unclear whether any Gun Reforms will Pass the narrowly Divided Senate.

Momentum has Repeatedly hit a Wall in Congress, even as Mass Shootings become Commonplace in the U.S.

Two Gun Violence Prevention Bills Passed the House, and both face an Uphill Battle in the Senate. One would Strengthen Background Checks, and the other would Close the so-called Charleston Loophole by Extending the time Federal Investigators have to Conduct Background Checks. “The administration is going to move forward to deliver progress via executive action when we have the authority to do so,” the Official said.

Attorney General, Merrick Garland, also said in a Statement the DOJ wants to take "concrete steps" to Reduce Gun Violence.

"Today we continue to deliver on our promise to help save lives while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans. We welcome the opportunity to work with communities in the weeks and months ahead in our shared commitment to end gun violence," he said.










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