In a significant move aimed at curbing gun violence, President Joe Biden is expected to announce a series of executive actions to address emerging firearms threats, Fox News has learned. The forthcoming executive order will focus on two critical areas: eliminating gun conversion devices and confronting the rise of 3D-printed firearms, according to a senior administration official.
This executive order follows the tragic mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 21, which left four dead and 17 others wounded, and comes at a time when gun violence remains a key issue in the U.S. Additionally, it arrives in the wake of two recent assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump, incidents that have heightened concerns about public safety and the accessibility of firearms.
Biden’s executive order will introduce a task force dedicated to emerging firearms threats, bringing together leadership from several federal departments and agencies. This task force will conduct a comprehensive review of the dangers posed by two specific threats: machine gun conversion devices and 3D-printed firearms. Conversion devices, which are already illegal under federal law, enable semi-automatic pistols to be modified into fully automatic weapons. Despite the legal restrictions, these devices continue to surface in criminal activity and are frequently recovered by law enforcement.
Another emerging threat identified by the administration is the proliferation of 3D-printed firearms. These firearms, often referred to as “ghost guns,” can be manufactured using designs downloaded from the internet, bypassing traditional regulatory frameworks. Since they often lack serial numbers, they are nearly impossible for law enforcement to trace back to their source.
Moreover, some can be built with non-metal materials, making them undetectable by magnetometers in secure locations such as airports and courthouses. The administration’s concern stems from the ease of accessibility and the difficulty in detecting these weapons, which pose new challenges for law enforcement and security agencies.
The emerging firearms threats task force, which will be central to Biden’s executive order, is expected to deliver a comprehensive report within 90 days. This report will assess the magnitude of the threat posed by these weapons and review the operational and legal capacities of federal agencies to detect and intercept them.
Another important component of the executive order is the enhancement of school safety. The administration plans to direct the Secretaries of Education, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, as well as the Attorney General and the Surgeon General, to develop updated active shooter drills for schools. These drills will aim to improve the preparedness of students and staff in the event of a school shooting, a reflection of the administration’s ongoing effort to strengthen security protocols in educational settings.
With firearm technology rapidly advancing and the accessibility of dangerous devices increasing, the White House views this executive order as a necessary step to address these evolving threats. The senior administration official noted that the order seeks to modernize the government’s approach to gun violence prevention, particularly in light of the growing use of untraceable firearms and illegal modifications.
As the country continues to grapple with the fallout of gun violence and the risks posed by new technology, Biden’s actions reflect his administration’s commitment to tackling these emerging threats head-on. However, these measures are also likely to reignite debates about Second Amendment rights, gun control, and the balance between public safety and individual freedoms.
