President Biden Must Prioritize Bold and Sweeping Reforms to End Gun Violence

February 3, 2022

WASHINGTON, DC – President Biden will travel to New York City to discuss gun violence prevention measures. Gun violence continues to be a pervasive crisis in the US, one fueled by an unchecked gun lobby and lax gun laws. This crisis continues to disproportionately affect Black, Brown, and Latino Americans. 2020 saw an unprecedented rise in gun deaths, and 2021 is likely to surpass the previous year’s totals. In light of the president’s visit to draw attention to this escalating crisis, Giffords released a memo today highlighting our priorities for the administration and urging President Biden and Vice President Harris to take continued action.

Peter Ambler, Giffords Executive Director

“Too many Americans have had their lives irrevocably changed because of gun violence. Children are afraid to go to school. Neighborhoods and public spaces are less safe. Even our democracy is under threat.

This is an epidemic of our own making. And we have the power to end it. Enough prioritizing the interests of the gun industry over those of the American people. Enough excuses and inaction.

We are depending on President Biden to pass safer gun laws and enact effective gun violence prevention policies. We need a vote on universal background checks, continued investment in community violence intervention programs, and reform at ATF.”

Giffords is committed to working with the Biden-Harris administration to end the gun violence epidemic. We have outlined several key federal policies that the administration should prioritize to stem gun violence in our country. These priorities include:

Background Checks: We must close the gaping loophole in our background checks law that allows people who are prohibited from possessing firearms to obtain them via an unregulated sale. Passing universal background checks will ensure that everyone who wants to purchase a firearm will be properly vetted. President Biden should force a vote in the Senate on this crucial legislation.
Community Violence Intervention: Consistently well-funded community violence intervention (CVI) programs have shown to be effective in reducing gun violence in high-risk neighborhoods. The administration should establish a CVI stakeholder working group that regularly brings together CVI leaders and stakeholders, including community and faith-based intermediary organizations, to share best practices and advise the White House on this issue.
Overhauling ATF: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) is the primary federal agency charged with enforcing our nation’s gun laws and regulating the gun industry, yet it continues to be in lockstep with the industry it is tasked with regulating. We need leadership at the ATF to get the policies needed on gun violence. President Biden must name a new director immediately who will prioritize the interest of the American people over those of the gun industry.

Read our full memo on executive actions the Biden-Harris administration should take.