President Biden Takes Bold Action to Strengthen Background Checks for Gun Purchases

 On March 14, 2023, President Joe Biden signed an executive order aimed at strengthening background checks for gun purchases. The order comes in response to the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States, which has continued to plague the country despite efforts to address it.

The executive order expands the types of records that are checked during a background check for a firearm purchase. Specifically, it includes information related to domestic violence, hate crimes, and other offenses that may indicate a heightened risk of gun violence.

Under the new order, the FBI will be required to establish a new system for conducting background checks that incorporates these additional records. The system will also be designed to facilitate the sharing of information between federal agencies and state law enforcement, making it easier to identify individuals who may pose a risk to public safety.

In addition to expanding the scope of background checks, the executive order also includes provisions aimed at reducing the number of firearms that end up in the wrong hands. For example, it directs the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to develop new regulations to prevent the illegal transfer of firearms.

The order also includes provisions aimed at improving the reporting of lost or stolen firearms, which can often end up in the hands of criminals. Specifically, it directs the Department of Justice to establish a new program to encourage gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms, and to work with local law enforcement to recover these weapons.

Overall, the executive order represents a significant step forward in the effort to reduce gun violence in the United States. While it is unlikely to completely solve the problem, it is an important step towards making our communities safer and ensuring that firearms are only in the hands of responsible individuals.