Biden signs executive orders to combat gun violence and regulate conversion devices

The executive orders focus on two main areas: improving the effectiveness of school shooting drills to reduce trauma and tackling the proliferation of machine gun conversion devices, which can convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic ones. Although these devices are already illegal, their small size and ease of production have made them prevalent in crime scenes across the country. The Biden administration’s actions also include promoting safe gun storage, enhancing background check systems, and funding community violence interventions. These measures follow the Surgeon General’s declaration of gun violence as a public health crisis, highlighting the urgency of the issue in American society.

Key Initiatives

• School Shooting Drills: The orders aim to make drills more effective and less traumatic for students.

• Regulation of Conversion Devices: The administration seeks to further regulate machine gun conversion devices, which are illegal but still found in circulation.

• Community Violence Interventions: Funding and support for interventions to reduce community violence will be prioritized.

• Safe Gun Storage and Background Checks: Enhanced measures for safe gun storage and improvements to the background check system are also part of the initiatives.

These executive actions mark a significant step in Biden’s approach to gun control and reflect an ongoing commitment to addressing gun violence as a critical issue in the United States.