Biden: Promises Kept / Promises Broken: on Gun Control

Joe Biden: No bill repealing liability protection for gun manufacturers

PROMISE BROKEN: Biden has not yet sent any gun legislation to Congress. Biden did take six gun-related executive actions on April 8, but those actions did not cover his Day One pledge.

ANALYSIS: Executive actions do not require the approval of Congress, like legislation does. Executive actions can be overturned by the next President, while bills are more permanent, requiring another act of Congress to overturn. All three issues mentioned by Biden have strong opposition by the gun industry, but "liability protection" refers to overturning 2005's Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) was enacted in 2005 to shield gun manufacturers and dealers from civil litigation.

Joe Biden: Treat gun violence as a public health epidemic

PROMISE KEPT: (White House press release, "Gun Violence Public Health Epidemic," April 7, 2021): The Justice Department will issue an annual report on firearms trafficking. [The previous report in] 2000 summarized information regarding its investigations into firearms trafficking. But there is good reason to believe that firearms trafficking channels have changed since 2000. A new, comprehensive report gives policymakers the information they need to help address firearms trafficking today.

ANALYSIS: The "change since 2000" is to treat gun violence as a public health epidemic, toward a multi-state settlement as with the tobacco industry.

Joe Biden: Regulate "ghost guns" and 3D-printed gun parts

PROMISE PARTLY KEPT: (White House press release 4/7/21): The Justice Department will issue a proposed rule to help stop the proliferation of "ghost guns." We are experiencing a growing problem: criminals are buying kits containing nearly all of the components for finishing a firearm within as little as 30 minutes and using these firearms to commit crimes.

ANALYSIS: Executive orders are not legislation and can be reversed by a future president. Biden calls these "initial actions" and supports the Senate passing gun control bills.