The White House is considering issuing gun safety measures through executive action.
The Administration publicly pressed Congress to move on legislation aimed at curbing violence. The executive actions could include requiring background checks on sales of "ghost guns" and other measures.
"Ghost guns" are handmade or self-assembled firearms that don't have serial numbers. The action would officially classify them as firearms requiring a background check.
The administration is also considering action in other areas, including to alert law enforcement agencies when someone fails a federal background check, which could potentially flag troubled or criminal individuals who are trying to access weapons.
The considerations come amid mounting pressure on The President to act in the wake of two mass killings about a week apart.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to bring to the Senate floor legislation passed by the House that would require background checks for most gun sales and transfers.
“This Senate will be different,” Schumer, D-N.Y., said. “The Senate is going to debate and address the epidemic of gun violence in this country.”
Democrats do not have the votes to pass any significant reform, and it is unclear whether any of the bills up for consideration would have made a difference
President Joe Biden urged Congress to move quickly to close the loopholes in the background check system and to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
“It should not be a partisan issue,” Biden said. “This is an American issue. It will save lives, American lives.”
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