By: Teresa Mull
President Biden is “certainly considering” executive action to force federal gun control, Press Secretary Jen Psaki has confirmed.
When asked during a press gaggle if Biden plans to take executive action on “gun violence,” Psaki said:
“We are certainly considering a range of levers, including working through legislation, including executive actions to address, obviously, you know, not just gun safety measures but violence in communities. So that is — has been under discussion and will continue to be under discussion.”
In a series of other vague statements, Psaki went on to say “how vital it is to move forward on gun safety measures in a range of formats,” adding, “But I don’t have an update on when those executive actions or what steps might be next at this point.”
Biden is “personally committed to continuing to push for gun safety measures,” and favors the type of executive action taken during the Obama-Biden administration, Psaki said.
The Press Secretary was unable or unwilling to describe what, exactly, the Biden administration has in mind when it comes to gun control, reiterating that Biden is “…considering and discussing a range of actions — executive actions on addressing gun violence and community violence.”
Psaki was equally as non-committal to the status of a nominee to head the ATF, telling reporters:
“I don’t have any update on the nomination. Obviously, it’s an important position and role, but — and one that we are eager to have nominated and confirmed. But we are also focused on the steps we can take — working with members of Congress, working with policy leads in the administration — to move forward and see what progress can be made on gun safety measures.”
Politico reports Biden is considering taking executive action on requiring background checks for so-called “ghost guns.” He’s also voiced supported for expanded background checks and a ban on “assault weapons” and “high-capacity” magazines, saying just last week:
“I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common-sense steps that will save the lives in the future, and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act. We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again. I got that done when I was a senator. It passed. It was the law for the longest time. And it brought down these mass killings. We should do it again.”
None of this is surprising to gun rights groups, such as the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR), who have been fighting against career politicians like Biden for decades, who make a living out of ruining law-abiding citizens’ lives.
“Joe has spent his nearly 50-year career in government opposing the Second Amendment and shilling for gun control, so it’s not surprising that he’s champing at the bit to do whatever he can to get his way,” Chris Stone, NAGR Communications Director, told GPM. “But if Joe Biden decides to enact gun control via executive order, you can be 100% confident that the National Association for Gun Rights and our legal foundation will sue the administration and fight tooth and nail to protect our gun rights.”
Teresa Mull ([email protected]) is editor of Gunpowder Magazine.
*An original version of this story stated Hunter Biden was discharged from the Army. He was discharged from the Navy. This error has been corrected.