The United States is strengthening background checks for gun buyers. The Biden administration has published a new rule to increase checks on those purchasing firearms. Sellers will have greater responsibility, the Department of Justice stated.
Under a new rule, President Joe Biden’s administration will require stricter controls on gun sellers who offer their merchandise in stores, specialized markets, or online.
Background checks are a practice that sellers must perform. However, they will no longer be able to avoid them if they want to maintain a license to sell firearms.
“I am proud to announce that all gun sellers must now conduct background checks no matter where or how they sell their merchandise,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a virtual press conference.
The rule was coordinated with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
The vice president recalled shootings in the country, such as those in Ohio, Illinois, and Texas, which could have been prevented if proper background checks had been conducted when the perpetrators acquired the firearms.
“Many communities have been torn apart by acts of violence committed with guns purchased without background checks,” Harris said, who leads the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that this regulation will apply regardless of where and how guns are sold.
“If you sell guns primarily to make a profit, you must be licensed and you must conduct background checks,” he said. “This regulation is a historic step in the Department of Justice’s fight against gun violence. It will save lives.”
Steven Dettelbach, ATF director, noted that the new rule will help uphold the rule of law and shut down the operations of unlicensed dealers.
“There is a large and growing black market of guns sold by people who are in the business of selling but do so without a license. And therefore, they are not conducting background checks as the law requires, and that is fueling violence,” he stated.
The new regulation received 388,000 comments in the Federal Register. The Final Rule will take effect in 30 days from today.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) was enacted on June 25, 2022.
“The Final Rule aligns ATF regulations with the new BSCA definition. It further clarifies the conduct that allegedly requires a license under that revised definition, among other things,” the Biden administration stated.
Image: DiarioNY
