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The Biden Administration's Plan to Regulate Firearms and Firearm-Related Products

In 2021, the Biden administration announced its plan to regulate firearms and firearm-related products. The policy aims to reduce gun violence in the United States by implementing new regulations on the sale and distribution of certain products. In this article, we will summarize the specifics of the policy and explore how it distinguishes between equipment that poses a risk and products that companies can still sell.

Background

Gun violence is a significant public health concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 39,000 gun-related deaths in the country in 2019. The Biden administration has taken steps to address this issue by proposing new regulations on firearms and firearm-related products.

The Proposed Policy

The proposed policy focuses on regulating certain types of equipment that can be converted into firearms or are designed for use with firearms. These include:

• Bump stocks: devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire at a rate comparable to fully automatic machines.
• Conversion kits: devices that enable the conversion of a firearm from semi-automatic to fully automatic.
• Ghost guns: firearms that are manufactured without serial numbers or other identifying features, making them difficult for law enforcement to track.

The policy also targets certain types of ammunition, including:

• Armor-piercing bullets: bullets designed to penetrate armor and body armor.
• Spike rounds: bullets with spikes or razor-like edges that can cause serious injury or death.

Distinguishing Between Equipment That Poses a Risk

So how would the policy distinguish between equipment that really poses a risk, and products companies should still be able to sell? According to Estevez, the policy focuses on identifying equipment that is "significantly more deadly" than other types of equipment. The policy also takes into account the level of risk posed by each piece of equipment, as well as its intended use.

For example, bump stocks are considered a high-risk device because they can convert semi-automatic rifles into fully automatic machines. However, conversion kits may be allowed if they are designed to ensure that the firearm is not converted from semi-automatic to fully automatic.

Similarly, armor-piercing bullets and spike rounds are considered high-risk devices because of their potential to cause serious injury or death. However, companies may still be able to sell these types of ammunition for use in certain industries, such as law enforcement or military applications.

Industry Response

The proposed policy has been met with resistance from various industry groups, including gun manufacturers and dealers. These groups argue that the policy is too broad and would unfairly restrict their ability to sell certain products.

Some argue that the policy ignores the benefits of firearms in hunting and self-defense. Others argue that the policy would drive the sale of firearms underground, making it more difficult for law enforcement to track and regulate these devices.

Conclusion

The Biden administration's plan to regulate firearms and firearm-related products is a complex issue with many stakeholders involved. While some may see the policy as an overreach of government authority, others argue that it is necessary to reduce gun violence in the United States.

Ultimately, the policy aims to distinguish between equipment that poses a risk and products that companies can still sell. By taking a nuanced approach, the policy seeks to regulate certain types of equipment while allowing companies to continue selling other products.