Gun Control: US to Close ‘Gun Show Loophole’ for Background Checks
The White House has announced plans to close a significant loophole in gun sales regulations that currently allow thousands of firearms to be sold without federal background checks at gun shows and online platforms. Approximately 23,000 vendors will be reclassified as licensed firearms dealers, subjecting their sales to mandatory background checks.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of licensing vendors who primarily sell guns for profit, stating that they must adhere to the same regulations as other licensed dealers. The Biden administration anticipates legal challenges from pro-gun groups but expressed confidence in the legality of the regulation, citing previous successful challenges to similar actions aimed at reducing gun violence.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Republican senators have voiced opposition to the new regulations, signaling their intent to fight against them. However, Mr. Garland hailed the move as a “historic step” that will ultimately save lives, citing data showing an increasing presence of illegal firearms at shooting scenes.
Vice-President Kamala Harris echoed these sentiments, criticizing unlicensed gun dealers for engaging in unverified sales. President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass universal background check legislation, emphasizing the need to address loopholes in gun sales regulations.
The closure of the “gun show loophole” is expected to take effect 30 days after its publication in the federal registry. The White House cited the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 as the basis for expanding background check requirements, a law passed with bipartisan support following two high-profile mass shootings in 2022.
However, Republican senators, including John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, have denounced the move as unconstitutional and plan to introduce a joint resolution of disapproval. The NRA has also criticized the regulation, characterizing it as an attack on law-abiding gun owners.
Despite the opposition, the White House is moving forward with its efforts to enhance gun control measures, particularly in light of the staggering number of gun-related deaths in the United States, which surpassed 40,000 last year according to the Gun Violence Archive.
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