Biden Announces Executive Order to Expand Gun Background Checks
We ran the numbers:
There are 3,303 news articles covering this topic.
13% (440) are left-leaning, 35% (1,160) are centrist, and 52% (1,703) are right-leaning.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new executive order boosting background checks for gun sales during a visit to Monterey Park, Calif., which recently experienced a mass shooting. Left-leaning articles highlight that Biden’s stance on gun controls was bolstered by encouraging midterm results, while right-leaning articles highlight Biden’s continued calls to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines.
NPR published a centrist article reporting on Biden’s new executive order that could increase the number of background checks before a gun purchase. The plan will be shaped by the U.S. attorney general, but there are currently no details. Biden has also called on the Cabinet to work with educators and law enforcement to prevent further shootings. Biden’s proposal to close loopholes in the background check system would require Congress to pass legislation, which would prove to be challenging with a Republican-majority House.
A left-leaning article by The Washington Post highlighted that Biden’s announcement took place at Monterey Park, a community in Los Angeles, where a mass shooting during a Lunar New Year celebration killed 11 in January. It also highlighted that Biden’s strong stance on gun control exceeds even Obama-era policies and encouraging midterm election results for campaigns focused on gun control has emboldened Biden further. The executive order does not shift government policy but directs federal agencies to ensure compliance with current laws.
A right-leaning article by Fox News highlighted Biden’s strong rhetoric around guns and his push to limit ownership and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The executive order instructs federal agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission, and the Cabinet to work on a plan to support communities suffering from gun violence and enforce existing legislation. The order does not change government policy because of limits without the cooperation of Congress, and works to ensure compliance with laws already in place.