Harris Calls Gun Safety a Civil Right as Biden Signs New Order \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the right to live free from gun violence as a civil right, defending the Second Amendment while advocating for reinstating the assault weapons ban. This came as President Biden signed an executive order targeting new gun technologies and active shooter drills. The order also establishes a task force to address machine-gun conversion devices and 3D-printed firearms.
Biden’s Gun Violence Executive Order: Quick Looks
- Kamala Harris emphasized that safety from gun violence is a civil right, defending the Second Amendment while pushing for stronger gun laws.
- Biden signed an executive order to restrict technologies like 3D-printed guns and machine-gun conversion devices.
- Harris, who leads the White House office on gun violence prevention, advocates for reinstating the assault weapons ban.
- The order aims to reduce trauma caused by active shooter drills and improve federal law enforcement funding.
- Biden continues to focus on curbing gun violence as a priority, with universal background checks and safe firearm storage on his agenda.
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden took significant steps toward addressing gun violence on Thursday as Biden signed an executive order aimed at curbing dangerous new technologies that make firearms easier to fire and obtain. During the East Room event at the White House, Harris reinforced her stance that safety from gun violence is not just a policy issue but a fundamental civil right, advocating for the right to “live, work, worship, and learn without fear of violence.”
As the head of the newly created White House office of gun violence prevention, Harris has become a central figure in the administration’s efforts to address the ongoing epidemic of mass shootings and gun-related deaths in the U.S. Harris’ remarks on Thursday underscored her position as a strong advocate for gun control measures while defending the Second Amendment, stating, “It is a false choice to suggest you are either in favor of the Second Amendment or you want to take everyone’s guns away. I am in favor of the Second Amendment and I believe we need to reinstate the assault weapons ban.”
The president’s executive order targets new developments in gun technology that are making it easier for firearms to be manufactured and obtained without regulation. One of the main focuses of the order is on machine-gun-conversion devices, which can turn semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. Another critical issue addressed is the rise of 3D-printed guns, which are produced from online blueprints, untraceable by law enforcement, and sold without serial numbers. The task force formed by the executive order has been instructed to report back in 90 days, just before Biden’s current term ends.
Harris, often vocal about her own experiences as a gun owner, insists she has no interest in taking away weapons from responsible gun owners, but she remains firm on the need for tighter regulations to prevent mass shootings and reduce gun violence. She and Biden advocate for universal background checks and the safe storage of firearms, two areas the administration is prioritizing in its broader gun safety agenda.
In addition to addressing new gun technologies, Biden’s executive order directs his administration to study the psychological impact of active shooter drills on students and educators. These drills, while essential in preparing schools for potential violence, have come under scrutiny for causing trauma among participants. Biden stressed the importance of creating more effective drills that do not harm the mental health of children and teachers, saying, “We just have to do better and can do better.”
Biden’s personal experiences with mass shootings have profoundly shaped his policy decisions. As president, he has visited the scenes of numerous mass shootings, comforting victims’ families and survivors. During Thursday’s event, he expressed his continued dedication to addressing gun violence, stating, “Never thought I’d have to sign something like this, but we do.” The 81-year-old president has long made gun violence prevention a cornerstone of his policy, and his administration continues to push for measures like banning assault weapons, a policy Biden helped implement during his tenure as a senator in the 1990s.
As Biden signed the executive order, he handed the pen to Vice President Harris with a brief, “Keep it going, boss,” emphasizing her leadership role in the administration’s efforts. The order also outlines measures to improve funding for federal law enforcement, particularly agencies that deal with gun trafficking and firearms-related crimes.
The focus on gun violence comes at a time when mass shootings are a persistent issue across the United States. Just days before Biden signed the order, a mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, claimed the lives of four people and injured 17 others. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin introduced the president at the signing ceremony, sharing his personal experience with gun violence. His brother was shot and killed, and Woodfin recounted the heart-wrenching screams of his mother, a trauma that echoed again for him after the recent Birmingham shooting. “Curbing gun violence should not be partisan,” Woodfin said. “Saving lives is the most American thing we can do together.”
Biden and Harris’s push for stricter gun laws reflects the sentiment of many Americans. Polls show that the majority of U.S. citizens favor stronger gun control measures, including background checks and restrictions on assault weapons, regardless of the current laws in their states. Many Americans believe that fewer guns could lead to fewer mass shootings, and their opinions may be influenced by the growing number of mass killings in the country.
As of Thursday, 31 mass killings had occurred in the U.S. in 2024 alone, resulting in at least 135 deaths, according to data from The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. The alarming frequency of these incidents has intensified the call for action, and Biden’s executive order is seen as a continuation of his efforts to address the crisis. Biden’s signing of the bipartisan gun safety law in 2022 was a major legislative win, but the president and vice president both insist more needs to be done.
While Biden’s executive order has garnered praise from gun-control advocates, it has faced criticism from pro-gun groups like the NRA. Randy Kozuch, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, denounced the order, calling it “just one more attempt by the Biden-Harris Administration to deflect attention from their soft-on-crime policies that have emboldened criminals in our country.” Kozuch’s statement reflects the ongoing partisan divide over gun control, but the Biden administration remains undeterred.
As Biden’s term winds down, his promise to continue the fight against gun violence beyond his presidency remains firm. “It’s time we establish universal background checks and require safe storage of firearms,” he said. “Start holding parents accountable for being negligent.” Whether through executive orders or future legislation, Biden and Harris are committed to pushing for meaningful changes in gun safety laws.
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