NEW CASTLE, Del. (Reuters) – President Joe Biden, who was weighing executive orders to reduce gun violence after two mass shootings, said Friday his government was examining whether he had the authority to take action against firearms made with 3D printers made on imported goods Weapons.
While the Democratic-backed gun control legislation faces an uphill battle due to the Republican opposition in the U.S. Congress, Biden may decide to take executive action in certain areas without legislature approval.
“We are examining what authority I have over imported weapons – and whether I have the authority or not,” the Democratic president told reporters in Delaware.
Biden also mentioned, “These new weapons are made by 3D machines that are not registered as weapons at all. There may also be some leeway there. “
Often times, homemade guns made with 3D printers have been the subject of controversy. Some states have tried to limit the sale of blueprints that show users how they are made.
The president, a long-time advocate of gun control measures, including increased background checks on gun buyers and the banning of offensive weapons, has publicly committed to action after two mass shootings that killed 18 people in Georgia and Colorado this month.
The White House has stated that it needs to review potential measures to ensure they have a solid legal base and can weather an expected legal challenge.
“You have to go through a screening process,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.
Psaki said Biden would sign an executive order on guns but didn’t say when, adding, “We need to address this epidemic and address the gun violence threat in many ways. And he will. He’s committed to it. “
Biden called on the Senate Tuesday to approve two bills passed by the Democrat-led House of Representatives on March 11 that would expand background checks on gun buyers. Biden also called for a national ban on assault weapons. An earlier ban expired in 2004.
Biden said Thursday that the passage of new gun control measures in Congress was “a matter of timing.”
Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Adaptation by Trevor Hunnicutt and Will Dunham