In a fresh development within the Democratic effort to restrict legal firearm access, President Joe Biden has established an office focused on “Gun Violence Prevention.”
This move addresses a significant request from gun control advocates and showcases Biden’s responsiveness to Progressive elements within his party.
The newly established office, its exact scope and responsibilities still to be defined, is expected to commence operations this Friday.
According to The Washington Post, gun control activists had been urging Biden to create this office even before he assumed office officially in January 2021.
President Biden on Friday will announce the creation of a new office for gun violence prevention, an escalation of the administration’s efforts to tackle the issue amid stalled progress in Congress, according to four people briefed on the action. https://t.co/oB2Ceq9tBW
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 19, 2023
According to the Daily Caller, Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund – an organization that advances policies to curb gun violence — and Rob Wilcox, senior director for federal government affairs at the gun control advocacy group, Everytown for Gun Safety, will play key roles in the new office.
According to Politico, Stefanie Feldman, a former member of the Domestic Policy Council and a Biden staffer, is anticipated to assume a prominent position within the newly established office.
An unnamed source told Politico: “I really think this is a testament to survivors, impacted communities, pushing for years the administration to do this.”
What are the odds the Federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention Democrats are creating will be honest about gun violence?
— Frank DeScushin (@FrankDeScushin) September 20, 2023
They'll continue to obfuscate the issue by including suicides but not noting that, and they'll still hide who commits most gun homicides while suggesting… pic.twitter.com/4gyFAAh2wm
The Biden administration has been quite clear about its intention to restrict gun ownership. In March this year, President Biden issued an executive order mandating enhanced background checks for firearm purchases.
In June 2022, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi led Congress in passing legislation that required individuals convicted of “domestic violence” to be included in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, a group advocating for more stringent gun control laws, expressed enthusiasm for the establishment of Biden’s “Gun Violence Prevention” office in an interview with The Washington Post.
“If this announcement is, in fact, the creation of a single point of leadership on gun violence in the administration, it’s a very big deal for the movement … For years, we’ve advocated for a centralized team responsible for coordinating federal and state resources and mobilizing movement partners.”
