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White House tries to craft gun executive orders that can’t be undone

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Trevor Hunnicutt


The White House is trying to craft a series of executive actions for President Joe Biden to sign to try to limit gun violence, hoping they cannot be quickly dismantled in court, according to aides and gun safety groups.


Among the measures being considered — and strongly encouraged by activists — is one directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reinterpret existing law on untraceable “ghost guns.”


So-called “ghost gun” kits are self-assembled from parts purchased online or at gun shows and are increasingly associated with crimes. But they are not classified as firearms and so can be legally sold without serial numbers or background checks.


The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has said more than 30 per cent of the illegal weapons it has confiscated in some areas of California are ghost guns.


Changing the designation of such weapons would likely set off an instant legal challenge, as have other attempts to limit gun ownership in recent years, for instance former president Donald Trump’s December 2018 ban on “bump stocks.” Two top White House aides, Cedric Richmond and Susan Rice, held a series of meetings early in the Biden administration to begin soliciting views on gun violence policy from safety activists and community leaders. Justice Department officials have met with the gun industry.


Among the topics discussed, according to attendees, were “ghost guns”, pushing the DOJ to bring more cases against firearms dealers and manufacturers, limiting exemptions for private sales from background check rules, and alerting local law enforcement when someone fails a federal background check.


Mass shootings last month in Georgia and Colorado have put pressure on the White House to act, as swift legislation is not likely through Congress. Press secretary Jen Psaki reiterated on Thursday that the administration is looking at executive orders. Police say the deadly shootings at spas in the Atlanta area and a supermarket in Boulder were carried out by suspects using legally-purchased firearms.


Biden has said the administration is exploring whether he has the authority to take action on firearms made using 3D printers as well as on imported guns.


“We stand ready and all options are on the table’’, said Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the pro-gun National Rifle Association, when asked about the possibility of presidential executive orders. — Reuters


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