President Biden, marking the anniversary of his gun violence prevention office, unveils executive orders targeting untraceable weapons while Vice President Harris pushes for stronger gun control measures

President Joe Biden signed two significant executive orders on Thursday aimed at strengthening gun safety in the U.S., as he passed the leadership mantle to Vice President Kamala Harris, who has made gun violence prevention a central focus of her 2024 presidential campaign. The White House event, marking the first anniversary of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, was packed with activists, survivors, and officials, including Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, whose brother was killed by gun violence.

During the event, Biden emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to curb gun violence despite legislative gridlock. The executive orders seek to address two pressing concerns: the rise of untraceable “ghost guns” and the increasing threat of devices that convert legal firearms into automatic weapons. One order establishes a federal task force to assess and combat these emerging threats, while the second focuses on improving school preparedness for active shooter situations, ensuring that drills are conducted in a way that avoids traumatizing students.

Vice President Harris delivered a passionate speech, reaffirming her support for the Second Amendment while advocating for responsible gun control measures, including the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban. Harris, a gun owner herself, said, “We can support the Second Amendment and still keep our communities safe. It’s time for Congress to act, but until then, we will do what we can.”

The orders, while lacking the permanence of legislation, underscore Biden’s determination to leave a lasting impact on gun safety. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, signed into law by Biden last year, was a historic step, but the president acknowledged that there is still more to be done. His focus on ghost guns and school safety measures comes as gun-related deaths continue to rise, particularly among children and teenagers.

Despite White House claims that violent crime, including gun-related homicides, has decreased in the past year, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that firearms remain the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. Experts warn that while executive action is a step forward, comprehensive legislation is still needed to address the root causes of gun violence.

Biden, who has championed gun control since his days as a senator when he helped pass the 1994 assault weapons ban, reiterated his commitment to making communities safer, even beyond his presidency. “These actions save lives,” he said, “but we have much more to do.”

Analysis:

Political:

President Biden’s executive orders on gun safety highlight his frustration with Congress’s inability to enact comprehensive legislation. Gun control has long been a politically divisive issue, with Democrats typically advocating for tighter restrictions and Republicans pushing for more gun rights. Biden’s use of executive power reflects the limitations of a deeply polarized Congress, where even bipartisan measures like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act struggle to pass. His decision to elevate Vice President Harris’s role in this issue suggests a strategic move to keep gun safety at the forefront of the Democratic agenda, especially as she campaigns for the 2024 election.

Harris’s approach of balancing gun ownership with safety regulations could appeal to moderate voters, as it positions her as both a defender of personal rights and a strong advocate for community safety. Her support for reinstating the assault weapons ban, a key component of Biden’s legacy from the 1990s, may also signal to voters that a Harris presidency would continue the fight for more stringent gun laws.

However, the executive orders’ lack of permanence means that any future Republican administration, particularly if led by Donald Trump, could easily reverse these actions. This highlights the fragile nature of executive orders and underscores the need for durable legislative solutions.

Social:

Gun violence has become a pressing social issue in the U.S., with mass shootings and everyday gun deaths becoming disturbingly routine. The orders reflect a growing public demand for action, particularly in the wake of high-profile school shootings and the rise of untraceable ghost guns. The focus on improving school preparedness is especially relevant in an era where active shooter drills are a grim reality for American students.

Social movements, particularly those led by survivors of gun violence, have been instrumental in pushing for change. Groups like March for Our Lives, founded after the Parkland shooting, have kept the national conversation on gun control alive. Biden’s executive orders, particularly the provisions related to school safety, echo the calls from these groups for a safer learning environment. However, critics argue that while drills may help prepare students, they also reinforce a climate of fear that impacts children’s mental health.

Racial:

Gun violence disproportionately affects communities of color, where homicide rates are significantly higher. Black Americans, in particular, are more likely to be victims of gun-related homicides. Biden’s executive actions indirectly address this disparity by targeting untraceable ghost guns, which are increasingly used in violent crimes in urban areas. However, the orders do not directly confront the systemic issues, such as poverty and lack of access to mental health services, that contribute to higher rates of gun violence in these communities.

Critics argue that any comprehensive gun control policy must also address these underlying social inequities to be truly effective. Programs that focus on community intervention, economic opportunity, and mental health could complement gun control measures to reduce violence in marginalized communities.

Gender:

Women, particularly women of colour, are disproportionately affected by domestic violence involving firearms. The executive orders do not specifically address the gendered aspects of gun violence, but measures targeting ghost guns and school safety could indirectly benefit women and children, who are often victims of domestic shootings. Harris, as a prominent female political leader, may also resonate with women voters who prioritize gun safety as a critical issue.

Furthermore, Harris’s nuanced stance—supporting gun ownership while advocating for stronger controls—may appeal to women who own firearms for self-protection but also worry about the broader impacts of gun violence on their families and communities.

Economic:

Gun violence has significant economic costs, including healthcare, law enforcement, and lost productivity. The Biden administration’s focus on ghost guns, which are harder to trace and prosecute, may help reduce law enforcement costs and increase public safety. However, without comprehensive reforms, the economic burden of gun violence will continue to strain local and national resources.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provides funding for mental health and community intervention programs, which could mitigate some of the economic damage caused by gun violence. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the administration hopes to lower the overall costs associated with gun-related injuries and deaths.