White House unveils half-dozen executive actions on gun control

President Biden unveiled six enforcement measures designed to combat gun violence on Thursday.

The orders are looking to introduce new regulations on "ghost rifle" kits that can be assembled at home. They are also calling on Congress and the states to pass red flag laws that could prohibit the purchase of a firearm by someone who is perceived as a threat to themselves or others; Increase funding for community violence intervention programs; Submit an annual firearms tracking report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

"Weapon violence in this country is an epidemic and it is an international embarrassment," Biden said during his remarks in the Rose Garden. He said gun violence "is estimated to cost the nation $ 280 billion annually" through "hospital bills, physiotherapy, trauma counseling, legal fees, prison costs, and lost productivity."  

Biden also formally announced that he would nominate David Chipman to run the federation. Chipman has served as a special agent for ATF for 25 years and, if confirmed, will be the organization's first permanent director since 2015. He is currently serving as a senior policy advisor to the Giffords Law Center for the Prevention of Gun Violence, a gun safety organization co-founded by former Representative Gabby Giffords.

"David has spent his career serving the public, fighting violent crime and striving to make our nation and our communities safer," Giffords said in a statement. "As a responsible gun owner, law enforcement expert, and gun safety expert, David is the perfect choice for an ATF manager."

Advocates of arms control legislation praised the White House measures. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, a staunch supporter of the new gun laws, described the six enforcement actions as "modest" and "rational", with the potential to save lives.

“At Joe Biden, we finally have a president ready to deal with gun violence like an epidemic that we can solve. Today's enforcement actions are an important first step toward stemming the wave of violence that is ending the lives of 100 Americans every day.” 

Biden's enforcement action follows two high-profile mass shootings last month: March 16 at three health resorts in the Atlanta area and March 22 at a grocery store in Colorado. Biden has long supported stricter gun laws, but the very narrow majority of Democrats in Congress mean the White House doesn't have many options when it comes to new firearms legislation.

However, some Democrats are optimistic about passing gun control legislation. Last month, Murphy told NBC News that Democrats "have a chance" to get the 60 votes needed to break procrastination and pass new gun laws.

"Political calculations about gun safety have changed since the last time we saw significant action in the Senate in 2013," said Rob Wilcox, federal legal director for the advocacy gun control group, Everytown for Gun Safety. 

“The NRA is on the sidelines, they're actually in court right now as part of their bankruptcy, and Americans across the political spectrum have expressed overwhelming support for background checks. What was the biggest obstacle, the majority of [Senator] Mitch McConnell, has now become a minority. There will be a vote and we will see what happens when it arrives. The truth is, there is a mandate for action on background checks, and we see that for support from across the spectrum, ”Wilcox said.

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Meanwhile, Biden said Thursday that he would push for new firearm restrictions regardless of whether Congress accepts them.