President Biden rolled out new gun safety regulations at the site of January's deadly Monterey Park shooting, signing a new executive order for tougher gun purchase background checks.
The executive order would direct Attorney General Merrick Garland to clarify the statutory definition of who is "engaged in the business" of selling firearms, an authority the administration official said was detailed in sweeping bipartisan gun legislation Biden signed into law last year after the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
"This news would mean fewer guns will be sold without background checks, and therefore fewer guns will end up in the hands of felons and domestic abusers," the official said on a call with reporters previewing the order.
The National Instant Background Check System carried out more than 31 million background checks on people looking to own firearms or explosives last year, FBI data shows.
The administration official said it is not clear how many new background checks the executive order would result in.
The order also urges members of Biden's Cabinet to promote effective use of extreme risk protection orders, or "red flag" laws, in 19 states and Washington, D.C., by partnering with law enforcement agencies, health care providers and educators.
Through the order, Biden will also encourage the Federal Trade Commission to compile a report examining how gun manufacturers market firearms, including to minors.
By defining who counts as a gun seller, more people will need to make background checks. It would also clarify red flag laws and focus on gun marketing.
These are all solid moves under recently passed regulations. The usual "Congress never gave the Executive this authority" BS won't work, because Congress did exactly that last year.
Biden is using the power he's been given.
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