President Set to Sign Executive Order Targeting Gun Sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden is expected to announce an executive order on Tuesday that would expand background checks to more firearm sales by expanding the statutory definition of a firearms dealer, the White House said.

According to Fox News, Biden is set to sign the order during a trip to Monterey Park California, where he will meet with families and the community impacted by the mass shooting that killed 11 and injured nine others in January. The White House said the executive order will bring the U.S. "as close to universal background checks as possible" without additional legislation.

Biden said he is going to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines "come hell or high water."

The White House said the order will also hold the gun industry "accountable," by providing the public and policymakers with "more information regarding federally licensed firearms dealers who are violating the law."

Under the executive order, Biden is also directing Attorney General Merrick Garland to develop and implement a plan to prevent former federally licensed firearms dealers, whose licenses have been revoked or surrendered, from continuing to engage in the business of dealing in firearms.

In addition, the measure enhances background checks for gun buyers under 21, adds penalties for some gun criminals and provides funding for a variety of health and mental health-related programs. It also addresses closing the so-called "boyfriend loophole," which is a gap in federal law that means spousal domestic abusers can have gun rights taken away but not unmarried ones.