Biden's Gun Safety Office Reports Progress: Homicides Down, Background Checks Up

The White House has reported significant progress in its efforts to curb gun violence, one year after President Joe Biden established a dedicated office to address this critical issue. The initiative has yielded promising results, with a notable decrease in homicides and enhanced effectiveness of background checks.

According to the White House, homicides have declined by 17% over the past year, building upon the substantial reduction observed in 2023. This trend is complemented by a 20% decrease in mass shootings in 2024 compared to the previous year, potentially reaching the lowest level since 2019.

The effectiveness of enhanced background checks, mandated by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of June 2022, has been particularly noteworthy. The FBI has conducted over 300,000 such checks for individuals under 21, resulting in the denial of more than 3,500 transactions. Nearly 900 of these blocked sales were directly attributed to the enhanced background check process.

Stefanie Feldman, who heads the new office, emphasized that this progress is the result of a multifaceted approach. This includes dozens of executive actions, increased collaboration among federal agencies, closer work with state and local governments, and increased funding for law enforcement and mental health programs.

"The further away you get from Washington, the less political this issue actually is. Everyone wants their kid to come home from school safely. Everyone wants their kid to be able to go play in the neighborhood and be safe."

Feldman also revealed that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to announce additional executive action soon, involving "wholly new ideas" that will require significant effort to implement before the end of Biden's term in January 2025.

It's worth noting that the U.S. has the highest rate of civilian gun ownership globally, making gun safety a complex and often contentious issue. The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the right to bear arms, which has been a cornerstone of the gun rights debate.

Despite partisan divisions on gun control, Feldman reported successful collaboration with Republican state and local officials. Seventeen states have passed legislation to address gun violence, demonstrating a bipartisan approach at the state level.

In June 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis, calling for increased research funding and better mental health access. This declaration is significant, considering that the Dickey Amendment of 1996 had previously restricted federal funding for research on gun violence.

As the November 5, 2024 presidential election approaches, gun safety remains a key focus for the Biden-Harris administration. Their efforts continue to balance public safety concerns with constitutional rights, aiming to reduce gun violence through a combination of legislative action, executive measures, and community engagement.