Biden and His New Gun Safety Measures

 

The Biden Administration on Thursday announced new gun safety executive actions focusing on promoting safer gun storage in what it calls an effort to reduce gun violence.

"While safe gun storage is an important factor in curtailing death and injuries among children, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and other grant programs, has also provided unprecedented funding to establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning opportunities and environments; to increase access to school-based mental health services; and to strengthen the pipeline of mental health professionals in high-need communities," the administration said in a statement.

There are approximately 4.6 million children in American living with unsecured firearms, according to the White House. Through their new safety measure, the administration is hoping to curb both self-inflicted harm and unintentional shootings caused by unsecured firearms.

Statistically speaking, according to the White House, 76% of schools shootings are carried out with a gun from the home, 80% of suicides by firearm of children involve a family member's gun, and 76% of unintentional shootings committed by children use unsecured guns.

In order to combat this issue, the Biden Administration has announced three new actions to promote safe storage: The Department of Education will pen letters to school principals encouraging them to share the importance of safe firearm storage with parents and guardians, as well as issue a communication template for how principals can discuss preventative action and safe gun storage with family members. Lastly, the Department of Justice will create a comprehensive guide to safer firearm storage.

The Biden Administration's executive actions come just days after a shooting spree at two homes in Joliet, Ill., left eight people dead. The president called for gun violence measures upon learning of the tragedy.

"This tragedy underscores why I am doing everything in my power to keep guns off our streets and out of the hands of those who seek to harm themselves or others," Biden said. "It is within our power to stop the epidemic of gun violence tearing our communities apart. Congress must act now."