President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have introduced new executive actions aimed at curbing the threat posed by 3-D printed firearms and devices that convert pistols into fully automatic weapons, move that were announced Thursday as part of a broader strategy to address evolving gun violence threats across the country.

The Biden-Harris measures include the creation of a task force to assess the risks and recommend improvements to school-based active shooter drills, as Breitbart reports.

The primary focus of these new measures is on 3-D printed firearms, which are seen as particularly dangerous because they can sometimes evade detection by metal detectors. The administration has voiced concerns over the rising availability and accessibility of these firearms, as well as the difficulty in regulating their production and use.

Task Force to Assess Emerging Gun Threats

As part of the executive action, Biden has tasked various federal agencies with producing a report on the potential threats posed by 3-D printed firearms within the next 90 days. This report will provide an evaluation of current federal capacities to address the issue, propose an inter-agency plan to combat these threats, and assess funding needs that may require congressional approval.

In addition to 3-D printed guns, the administration is targeting full-auto conversion switches for pistols. These devices, which turn semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons, have been illegal under U.S. law. However, their growing presence in criminal activities remains a significant concern for federal authorities.

Focus on School Safety and Active Shooter Drills

Beyond addressing these specific firearm threats, the new executive actions also include directives for improving school-based active shooter drills. Biden’s administration is instructing the Secretaries of Education and Homeland Security, along with the Attorney General and other relevant officials, to develop guidelines for these safety drills in schools.

The White House noted that this initiative is a multi-agency effort, designed to ensure that schools across the country are prepared for potential active shooter situations. This reflects a broader focus on school safety, which has been a recurring theme in both Biden and Harris’s approach to gun control.

History of Executive Action on Gun Control

Biden’s reliance on executive action to implement gun control measures is not new. Throughout his presidency, he has used this approach to bypass legislative gridlock in Congress. This latest round of executive measures follows a series of similar actions during his time in office.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a long-time advocate for stricter gun control, has also been vocal on the issue. In 2019, during her presidential campaign, she committed to using executive powers to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands. Harris has frequently cited the disproportionate impact of gun violence on young Black men, describing it as one of the nation’s most pressing issues.

Full-Auto Conversion Devices Already Illegal

The executive measures announced this week also address full-auto conversion devices, which allow pistols to fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. These devices are already illegal under federal law, but their use in criminal activities has continued to rise. The Biden administration’s actions aim to enhance enforcement and prevent further proliferation of these devices.

The executive actions reflect a growing concern over the ways in which firearm technology, such as 3-D printing and conversion devices, can circumvent traditional gun control measures. The administration is hoping that a coordinated federal response will help mitigate these emerging threats.

Recommendations to Address Gun Violence

In the coming months, the task force created by Biden’s executive action will deliver its findings on the state of 3-D printed firearms and full-auto conversion devices. The report will assess the level of threat these technologies pose to public safety and recommend potential legislative and regulatory responses.

The administration has made it clear that this is only the beginning of its latest efforts to tackle gun violence in America. By engaging multiple agencies and requesting funding from Congress, Biden and Harris are signaling their commitment to addressing gun-related threats in a comprehensive manner.

School Safety Drills to Be Reviewed

Another key component of the executive actions is the emphasis on school safety. The Biden administration is directing officials to review and update best practices for school-based active shooter drills. These drills have become a common feature in many schools across the country in response to the rising number of school shootings.

The White House indicated that this initiative would involve collaboration between several agencies, including the Department of Education, Homeland Security, and the Attorney General’s office. By bringing together these departments, the administration hopes to create standardized guidelines for schools to follow in the event of an active shooter situation.

Future Outlook on Gun Control

With these executive measures in place, the Biden administration is continuing its push for stricter gun control policies. Although Biden has faced resistance in Congress on this issue, he has used executive actions as a way to implement changes where possible.

The issue of gun violence remains a top priority for both Biden and Harris, as they work to address the evolving landscape of firearms technology and the challenges it presents to public safety. The administration’s focus on 3-D printed firearms and school safety drills demonstrates a multi-faceted approach to the complex problem of gun violence in America.

Conclusion

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s new executive actions target 3-D printed firearms and full-auto conversion switches for pistols.

They have established a task force to assess these threats and recommend school safety improvements, particularly around active shooter drills. These actions build on Biden’s history of using executive orders to implement gun control, a strategy both he and Harris have long supported.