The Biden-Harris administration has once again wielded the executive pen, announcing new measures that are dressed up as efforts to combat gun violence. While the White House frames this as a serious initiative, it smacks of the usual political gamesmanship that prioritizes appearances over real solutions. As if to preemptively counter some well-deserved criticism, Vice President Kamala Harris is busy defending her record on gun control, which raises eyebrows given her track record.
At the heart of this latest executive order is a ban on gun conversion devices and the establishment of a so-called firearms threats task force. The order also includes improving active shooter drills in schools, ostensibly to prepare students for the unthinkable. But let’s not kid ourselves: while these measures seem well-intentioned, they do nothing to address the fundamental problems at play. Instead, they represent a classic case of the government dabbling in feel-good initiatives that further infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens.
The White House claims that advancements in firearm technology, including 3D printed guns, are part of the “emerging threats” they aim to tackle. However, the narrative of these 3D printed firearms, which can elude detection due to their non-metal construction and lack of serial numbers, doesn’t take into account the fact that criminals will simply disregard any law. Conversion devices are already illegal, yet that hasn’t stopped nefarious actors from ignoring the rules. This begs the question: why tighten the screws on lawful gun owners instead of tackling the criminals who persistently flout the law?
This week’s executive order is just icing on the cake for an administration that has already made gun control a hallmark of its time in office. The president is particularly keen on polishing his legacy with a series of executive actions that, quite frankly, do little besides pandering to a radical base without making real changes to reduce violence. Biden’s administration has been heralding a decline in violent crime, which many right-minded individuals recognize is not a result of influenced legislation but rather a correction from pandemic-era spikes.
Biden-Harris Administration to Issue Yet Another Executive Order Targeting Guns https://t.co/DJCbyicmB7
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One glaring omission from the administration’s plan is a focus on real security measures in schools, which would actually safeguard students rather than just rehearsing for potential tragedies. Democrats prefer a strategy that targets responsible gun owners over providing tangible security enhancements. Instead of arming schools with proactive security solutions, their goal appears primarily focused on disarming the innocent. Consequently, the Biden administration’s actions appear to distract from genuine safety concerns while pushing a narrative that does little to rescale the chaos occurring in many urban areas.
In public appearances, Harris might brandish a firearm to deflect the label of being an anti-gunner, but her actions consistently indicate that the mantra is more along the lines of “Guns for me, but not for thee.” As the administration rolls out yet another ineffective initiative, conservative Americans remain wary of politicians who claim to be tackling gun violence while simultaneously infringing on Constitutionally protected rights. The executive order is more about optics, aimed at giving the appearance of control in uncertain times, rather than tackling the core issues that promote violence in society.