By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

On Sept. 26, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced an executive order that directs federal agencies to improve school-based active shooter drills and combat the rising threat of violence from 3-D printed and converted firearms.

The directive aims to advance the Biden-Harris administration’s agenda to reduce gun violence and save lives. The agenda aligns with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal to strengthen gun laws and prevent traumatic incidents of mass violence. Two days before the White House announcement, Newsom signed 24 bipartisan bills enacting new measures that increase protections against gun violence and domestic violence, as well as mass shootings.

“California won’t wait until the next school shooting or mass shooting to act,” said Newsom.

“Data shows that California’s gun safety laws are effective in preventing gun-related deaths — which makes the ongoing inaction and obstruction by politicians in the pocket of the gun lobby even more reprehensible,” he said.

The executive order stated that President Biden is establishing an Emerging Firearms Threats Task Force that consists of federal leaders from key departments and agencies. The task force is required to issue a 90-day report assessing the threats posed by unserialized 3-D guns and machinegun conversion devices and the capacity of federal agencies to detect and intercept the creation of these devices. The task force will provide an interagency plan to combat the threats. Congress will grant funding and authority to federal agencies to help the task force achieve the mandated objectives.

The Biden-Harris administration says, “Congress must act” and acknowledges that there is more work to do regarding gun violence prevention actions that can save lives.

Newsom commended the Biden-Harris Administration’s “leadership in advancing – yet again – life-saving policies to make up for Congress’s continued failure to protect our communities from gun violence.”

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