President Joe Biden is expected to unveil a new federal office dedicated to curbing gun violence, coinciding with the start of the 2023 Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, according to various media reports. The formal title of this upcoming White House office is reported to be the "Office of Gun Violence Prevention." Whether the office will effectively reduce firearm-related violence or merely advocate for further gun control measures remains to be seen.
The conference, co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, takes place annually and is considered a major event for gun rights activists. This year, it is being held under the theme "Road to Liberty." However, supporters of the Second Amendment are concerned that Biden's initiative signals a divergence from that road, potentially leading to more restrictive measures like extended background checks, mandatory training, and even gun bans.
Political analysts suggest that the new office could serve dual purposes for Biden: it may not only address gun violence but also galvanize specific voter groups. Meanwhile, skeptics view it as a political maneuver to bypass a gridlocked Congress on gun control legislation.
The effort to create the new office is reportedly led by Stefanie Feldman, a longtime Biden aide knowledgeable in gun policy issues. The office is also expected to involve figures from gun control advocacy groups. Despite past legislative efforts, such as Biden’s "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," the number of mass shootings has not shown significant reduction, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Earlier this month, another Democrat, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, stirred controversy by declaring a temporary ban on the open or concealed carry of firearms, citing a "public health emergency." The move led to legal battles and criticism from both sides of the political spectrum before being partially rescinded.
In response to executive actions like these, Congressman Michael Cloud (R-TX) has reintroduced a bill to restrict the president's power to declare public health emergencies as a means of implementing gun control. The bill aims to halt any potential infringement on the Second Amendment.
The Gun Rights Policy Conference is set to feature a lineup of prominent Second Amendment advocates, legal experts, and commentators. With the timing of Biden’s announcement, many anticipate that this could serve to galvanize rather than dampen the spirit of conference attendees.
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