Biden's Executive Actions on Gun Control Coming Thursday

“Ghost guns” and expanding background checks by White House without Congressional consent

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Pres. Joe Biden was not issuing an empty threat when he said he would use executive actions to push through gun control measures. The first ones are coming Thursday at a public event. 

A reporter asked Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, on Wednesday about the reports. This is the transcript:

Reporter: Reports popped just before the briefing started that the President is going to announce a series of executive actions on guns tomorrow.  Can you confirm that?  And anything that you can preview? 

MS. PSAKI:  I don’t have anything to preview.  I can convey that I expect the President will have more to say tomorrow.

Reporter: Okay.  And will it involve those ghost guns - potential extended background checks on ghost guns?

MS. PSAKI:  I’m just not going to preview more from here.  I expect we’ll have more — we will probably do a background briefing call for all of you later today. 

Politico reported earlier Wednesday the expected details of the executive actions are: 

Biden will direct the administration to begin the process of requiring buyers of so-called ghost guns — homemade or makeshift firearms that lack serial numbers — to undergo background checks, according to three people who have spoken to the White House about the plans.

Other executive actions remain unclear. But advocates who have been in touch with the White House have speculated that the president could announce regulations on concealed assault-style firearms; prohibitions on firearm purchases for those convicted of domestic violence against their partners; alerts to law enforcement agencies when a potential buyer fails a background check; and federal guidance on home storage safety measures.

While the Democrat-controlled House has been able to pass two gun-control bills so far, the Senate so far does not have the 60 votes needed to bring those bills to the floor. So, Pres. Biden is doing an end-run around Congress to push his agenda.

While “ghost gun” sounds scary — which is the intent of the terminology — making your own guns is not a serious cause of gun violence.

If the president goes so far as to attempt to ban “assault weapons” with the stroke of a pen, prepare for massive increase in the already-historic gun sales.

You can also expect that those who value the Constitution — the division of power in the branches and the Bill of Rights’ Second Amendment — to be angry and outraged by this power grab.

DISCUSSION: Use the link below— What do you think Biden will announce on Thursday? Do you know about "ghost guns”? Can you explain why they aren’t a source of crime and don’t need an FBI background check? Do you think Biden will try to use executive actions for a new assault weapon ban?

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