Justice Department announces new steps to reduce gun violence

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Monday it has taken steps to reduce gun violence by tackling the use of stabilizing devices that convert pistols into rifles and by publishing model legislation on red flag laws. 

The steps follow up on President Biden’s executive actions in April, which gave DOJ 60 days to act on both issues.

“Today the Department of Justice announced two new steps to stem the epidemic of gun violence in our country, following through on the president and attorney general’s announcement in April of a set of initial actions,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday. 

DOJ issued a notice of proposed rule-making that makes clear that using devices to convert pistols into short-barreled rifles is subject to the requirement of the National Firearms Act, which imposes heightened regulations on short-barreled rifles.

Psaki noted that the alleged shooter in Boulder, Colo., used a pistol with an arm brace as a stabilizing device.

DOJ also published model legislation for states to craft “extreme risk protection orders,” which are also known as red flag laws. These laws authorize the courts to temporarily bar people in crisis from accessing a firearm.

Psaki also noted that a number of states already have red flag laws in place. 

“This is part of the president’s long-standing commitment to addressing the scourge of gun valence, which continues to claim far too many lives every day,” she said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland also said in a statement the DOJ wants to take “concrete steps” to reduce gun violence. 

“Today we continue to deliver on our promise to help save lives while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans. We welcome the opportunity to work with communities in the weeks and months ahead in our shared commitment to end gun violence,” he said.