Durbin Statement on Biden Executive Actions on Gun Violence
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after President Biden announced several executive actions to address gun violence:
“When it comes to the sickening gun violence in our streets we have a choice: give up or stand up. President Biden is prepared to lead with common sense, constitutional steps to stop this uniquely American gun madness. It’s time for Congress to stop making excuses and start making our nation safer.”
The executive actions include:
- Announcing David Chipman as the nominee to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Chipman, a 25-year veteran of ATF, is a well-qualified and experienced law enforcement professional who currently serves as a policy advisor at Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
- Directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to issue a proposed rule to help stop the proliferation of “ghost guns” (guns that can be assembled from kits that do not have a serial number and are untraceable).
- Directing DOJ to issue a proposed rule to make clear that when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively converts a pistol into a short-barreled rifle, the device is subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act. This type of device was reportedly used by the shooter in last month’s mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado.
- Directing DOJ to publish model extreme risk protection order legislation for states to consider adopting. Currently 19 states, including Illinois, and D.C. have these laws, which allow law enforcement and family members to petition for a court order temporarily barring people in crisis from accessing firearms if they present a danger to themselves or others.
- Directing five federal agencies (DOJ, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Department of Education, and the Department of Labor) to modify grant programs to focus more on investing in evidence-based community violence intervention programs. President Biden’s American Jobs Plan proposal also includes $5 billion in funding over eight years to support community violence intervention programs.
- Directing DOJ to issue an annual report on illicit firearms trafficking patterns and trends.
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