Joe Biden announces 'common sense' executive order on gun control
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Joe Biden has announced a new executive order that he hopes will help prevent gun violence in the United States.
There have been more than 100 mass shootings in America in this year alone, says the Gun Violence Archive, and we're only halfway through March.
The President made his big announcement in Monterey Park, California, where one of those mass shootings in 2023 occurred.
A gunman stormed a hall back in January and opened fire on everyone inside.
Eleven people were killed and loads of others were injured in the attack that happened after a Lunar New Year celebration, according to Fox News.
Biden revealed the executive order will target several aspects of gun ownership in America.
There will be an increased number of background checks, a big promotion on better security for weapon storage, and an effort to help authorities get the most out of the gun control law that was brought in last year.
"I'm here on behalf of the American people to mourn with you, to pray with you, to let you now you are loved and not alone," he said.
President Biden memorialized each of the victims from the Monterey Park tragedy.
He then said: "I'm here with you today to act. Today, I'm announcing another executive order that will accelerate and intensify this work to save more live, more quickly."
Attorney General Merrick Garland has now been called on to ensure federally licensed gun dealers are fully aware of the background check laws.
Biden called the executive order a 'common sense' approach to curbing firearm violence because it's essential 'to check whether someone is a felon and domestic abuser before they buy a gun'.
During the announcement, the President says his 2024 budget plan aims to make the country safer in other ways.
“Last week I laid out on my budget that we invest more in safer communities and expand access to mental health services for those affected by gun violence,” Biden said.
“Congressional Republicans should pass my budget instead of calling for cuts of these services or defunding the police or abolishing the FBI as we hear from our MAGA Republican friends.”
The President has repeatedly called on Congress to bring in harsher laws in relation to owning and operating guns in the country.
At the top of his wishlist is seeing assault weapons like the AR-15, which has been used in multiple mass shootings, banned in the United States.
Time will tell if that ever gets done.
