FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
April 11, 2024
Contact: Denzel McCampbell, (313) 400-0298, denzel@progressmichigan.org
Biden-Harris Administration’s Major Announcement on Gun Violence Prevention
Expanded background checks for all gun sales will close major legal loopholes and save lives
MICHIGAN – In a pivotal stride towards enhancing gun safety measures, the Biden-Harris Administration unveiled a landmark policy today expanding firearm background checks as part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Notably, the administration has enacted the most substantial extension of background check protocols since passage of the Brady Bill in 1993.
“We applaud President Joe Biden for taking decisive action to address a critical loophole in existing firearm regulations,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “By finalizing a rule that mandates background checks for all gun sales – regardless of the venue or platform – President Biden closed a dangerous gap that allowed firearms to be purchased without proper scrutiny.”
The newly enacted rule imposes a straightforward requirement: any entity engaged in the sale of firearms must conduct background checks, mirroring the standards upheld by licensed gun dealers. This measure is a significant step towards closing the loopholes that have long plagued online and gun show transactions, fostering a safer environment for all Americans.
“For too long, these loopholes have served as a dangerous gateway for people trying to circumvent background checks and for gun dealers who wanted to put money over safety,” said Natalie Fall, executive director of March For Our Lives. “This new rule will save lives and bring us that much closer to universal background checks. This has been a call that youth activists have made for years, standing on the shoulders of our friends in the gun safety movement, and we applaud the Biden-Harris administration for moving swiftly and rigorously to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and fighting to defend our right to live without the fear of guns.”
With today’s announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing responsible gun safety measures and ensuring the well-being of everyone in the country.
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