President Biden issued new regulations on ghost guns assembled at home. The new rules will require the addition of serial numbers and background checks for the creation and sale of the weapons.
“A felon, a terrorist, a domestic abuser can go from a gun kit to a gun in as little as 30 minutes,” President Biden said.
Specifically, the new rules require manufacturers of what are called “buy build shoot” kits to become federally licensed manufacturers. In addition to providing serial numbers, they will have to run background checks on their customers.
Federally licensed dealers and gunsmiths will also be required to add a serial number to the weapons if they come into their possession without one. The White House used the example of someone selling a ghost gun to a pawn shop.
The weapons can be assembled at home using individual parts, kits purchased online or using 3D printers.
“They can be assembled quickly with little or no training. That means that someone can convert parts in a box into a working gun with alarming ease,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said.
These features have made them difficult for law enforcement to trace when they’re found at a crime scene.
“You can’t connect the gun to the shooter and hold them accountable. In fact, the ATF reports that they’ve been able to trace less than one percent, less than one percent of ghost guns reported by law enforcement,” Biden said.
In a USA Today op-ed, Attorney General Merrick Garland argued the changes will make it harder for criminals and people prohibited from buying guns to get their hands on them.
“The regulations also will help reduce the number of untraceable firearms flooding into our communities. And they will achieve these important law enforcement objectives while respecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans,” Garland wrote.
Critics of the new rules have said President Biden doesn’t have the authority to introduce them.
“The Constitution does not authorize the federal government to prevent you from making your own firearm,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) tweeted. “This a fact that has been recognized for 200+ years. Also, Article 1, Section 1 (literally the first operative sentence in the Constitution) says Congress makes law, not POTUS!”
The National Rifle Association called the President’s plan “hollow” and said it will not stop violence.
“But, this action sends the wrong message to violent criminals, because this “ban” will not affect them. These violent crime sprees will continue unabated until they are arrested, prosecuted and punished,” the NRA said in a statement.
Biden’s gun control actions will hearten his wealthy gun control supporters. But, this action sends the wrong message to violent criminals, because this “ban” will not affect them.
These violent crime sprees will continue unabated until they are arrested/prosecuted/punished. pic.twitter.com/9AO7uE4kWG
— NRA (@NRA) April 11, 2022
President Biden also announced he is nominating Steve Dettelbach to serve as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The White House said Dettelbach has a strong track record of working with local law enforcement and community leaders to prevent violent crime. The Biden Administration believes he will have enough support to be confirmed by a 50-50 Senate.
