The Biden Administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) has rolled out two new gun control rules, marking the latest efforts to tighten regulations surrounding firearm purchases and handling. These measures, announced on December 16, 2024, align with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), legislation signed by President Biden amid increasing calls for gun safety reform following tragic mass shootings.
The two rules brought forth by the DOJ have been labeled under the 'Notice of Proposed Rulemaking' (NPRM). The first proposal, known as the Firearm Handlers Rule, will allow federal firearm licensees (FFLs)—such as gun retailers—to opt-in for conducting employment background checks using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This voluntary measure is aimed at enhancing the vetting process for employees who may handle firearms.
The second rule, termed the Under-21 Rule, intends to set stricter NICS background check protocols for firearm purchasers who are under the age of 21. Under this proposal, NICS would be required to perform enhanced checks by reaching out to specific state and local agencies to check for juvenile records, including any criminal convictions or relevant mental health histories. The goal here, as stated by the DOJ, is to improve the safety protocols surrounding youth access to firearms.
The announcement of these rules echoes back to the passage of the BSCA, which was significantly influenced by bipartisan cooperation, especially highlighted by the involvement of Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and several other Republican colleagues who joined Democrats to pass the legislation. This cooperation came as a response to the Uvalde school shooting on May 24, 2022, which reignited the debate over gun laws across the nation.
Despite the legislation's good intentions, it is worth noting the criticism stemming from various quarters. Many detractors argue the BSCA, as well as the newly proposed rules, may not address the fundamental issues related to gun violence, as they contend these measures could have been ineffective during the Uvalde attack.
AWR Hawkins, who has written extensively on Second Amendment issues for Breitbart News, offers insight on these developments. Hawkins emphasizes the importance of recognizing historical precedents and the challenges surrounding gun legislation. He stated, 'These new background check measures might be seen as mere band-aids on much larger issues.' This perspective highlights the growing concern over gun crime and the adequacy of policymaking meant to combat it.
With gun-related incidents remaining a contentious topic within the United States, the response to these new rules from both lawmakers and the public will be closely monitored. Advocates for gun control see these measures as steps toward more responsible gun ownership, yet many within the pro-gun rights community assert they infringe upon Second Amendment rights.
The Under-21 Rule particularly resonates with young adults, many of whom are featured as prominent voices calling for change. The DOJ, by implementing this rule, aims to address the unique vulnerabilities posed by youth access to firearms, all the whilst attempting to balance those needs against the constitutional rights to bear arms.
Looking forward, the Biden Administration, backed by the DOJ, has signaled this is only the beginning of the conversation on gun control. These proposals seek to address the cries for action from communities affected by gun violence, yet the debate continues to rage on whether these changes will yield the intended outcomes or merely provide the illusion of progress.
It remains to be seen how effectively the new rules will be enforced and the impact they will have on firearm purchases and overall public safety. The upcoming period will be pivotal as both supporters and opponents engage with these regulatory changes, pushing their respective narratives surrounding one of the most divisive issues of our time.
For those interested, more information about these developments can be gathered from sources like Breitbart News, particularly AWR Hawkins's commentaries on these legislative shifts.
