What Will it Do?

Last Tuesday the President issued an executive order called Reducing Gun Violence and Making Our Communities Safer. At a high level, the Order basically instructs federal agencies to use their existing authority to implement measures to reduce gun violence. Much of the executive order focuses on coordinating implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The Act:

  • Supports state ‘crisis intervention orders’ AKA Red Flag Laws (which Arizona doesn’t have);
  • Creates $750M for states to administer laws that help ensure deadly weapons are kept out of the hands of individuals a court has determined to be a significant danger to themselves or others;
  • Adds convicted domestic violence abusers in dating relationships to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System;
  • Cracks down on criminals who illegally evade licensing requirements and clarifies which sellers need to register, conduct background checks, and keep appropriate records;
  • Requires an investigative period to review juvenile and mental health records, including checks with state databases and local law enforcement, for buyers under 21 years of age;
  • Creates federal straw purchasing and trafficking criminal offenses, allowing prosecutors to target dangerous illegal gunrunners; and
  • Provides $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives.

Executive Order: Reducing Gun Violence & Making Communities Safer

Last week’s Executive Order basically coordinates implementation of that Act. For example, The Attorney General, HHS, and the Departments of Education, and Homeland Security are supposed to turn in their plan of action to maximize the use of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The U.S. Attorney General is supposed to implement a plan to clarify the definition of who is a firearm dealer required to become Federal firearms licensee, prevent former licensees whose licenses have been revoked or surrendered from continuing to engage in the business of dealing in firearms; and publicly release inspection reports.

The Defense Department, Attorney General, Homeland Security and HHS are supposed encourage effective use of extreme risk protection orders (“red flag” laws), partnering with law enforcement, health care providers, educators, and other community leaders. Sadly, Arizona doesn’t have a Red Flag law.

See AzPHA’s Special Report: Firearm Violence in Arizona: Data to Support Prevention Policies

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