Key Takeaways:
– Biden is signing an order aimed at tackling looming firearm hazards and enhancing execution of school shooter drills.
– The order sets to address machinegun conversion devices and unserialized, 3D-printed firearms.
– Firearms-related safety protocols will be improved in schools while minimizing potential psychological trauma from drills.
Biden Makes Moves on Gun Violence
President Joe Biden is taking action to diminish gun violence in the country with a fresh Executive Order. This order is a two-pronged initiative. It tackles gun information and amends the way active shooter drills are carried out in schools.
Addressing the Threat from Firearms
The Executive Order sets its attention on two alarming developments in the world of firearms. Biden’s initiative dives headfirst into the issue of ‘machinegun conversion devices’ and ‘unserialized, 3D-printed firearms.’
Machinegun conversion devices enhance the firepower of regular firearms by bolstering its rate of fire to the level of a machinegun. The threat is real, because between 2017 and 2021, a staggering 5,454 such devices were recovered. Notably, these devices can be unlawfully made using a 3D printer or imported illegally.
Besides this, unserialized, 3D-printed firearms, often referred to as ‘ghost guns,’ are another matter of grave concern. They let people with criminal convictions or restraining orders access weapons illegally. Moreover, these firearms are difficult to trace due to a lack of serial numbers and can bypass metal detectors, posing substantial risks to security.
With the advancement of 3D-printing technology, the danger from 3D-printed firearms can amplify rapidly. This Executive Order aims to nip this serious issue in the bud by focusing on these firearms.
Transforming Active Shooter Drills in Schools
With the gun-related aspect set in motion, the Order also intends to transform the way schools conduct active shooter drills.
Safety drills designed to prepare schools for active shooter scenarios are commonly used. But designing these drills and executing them in a way that maximizes efficiency and limits possible negative impact is a complex task. Reports have been circling about the mental stress these drills can cause to students and educators.
President Biden’s order invites key officials like the Secretary of Education, Secretary of Homeland Security, Attorney General, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the US Surgeon General to tackle this issue. Together, they will create and release details about school-based active shooter drills within 110 days.
The goal here? To enhance these drills and make them better equipped to prepare students for such situations, all the while minimizing any trauma that might be linked with poorly implemented drills.
Striving for Safer Future
This latest move by President Joe Biden is a significant stride towards proactive gun violence prevention. The focus is not on short-term political gain but on saving lives and preventing American families from suffering tragic losses.
And as the Biden era continues, the groundwork for progress is laid out. The challenge and opportunity now lie with Vice President Harris and the potential she carries to further this mission.
Remember, tackling gun violence is not a solo quest. It calls for collective action and responsibility from each one of us. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village.’ Together, we can ensure a safer environment for everyone, starting with our schools. The very place where the seeds for our future are sown.