Joe Biden has issued an executive order to strengthen background checks on gun purchases. The order requires the Justice Department to issue a proposed rule within 30 days to help prevent the proliferation of “ghost guns,” which are homemade firearms that lack serial numbers and are untraceable by law enforcement.
The order also directs the Justice Department to issue a proposed rule to make clear when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace effectively turns a pistol into a short-barreled rifle subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act.
The order also requires the Justice Department to issue a proposed rule to ensure buyers of firearms are notified if they fail a background check.
The order also directs the Justice Department to review gun trafficking and the implementation of red flag laws, which allow family members or law enforcement to seek court orders temporarily barring people in crisis from accessing firearms.
The order also calls for the Justice Department to publish model “red flag” legislation for states and to provide federal funding to states to support the enactment and enforcement of such laws.
Finally, the order directs the Justice Department to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of firearm-related technologies that would allow more efficient background checks.