Biden Takes Big Step to Close Gun Show Loophole, Makes Thousands More Dealers Run Background Checks

Progressive Voices

Leslie is joined by Nick Wilson, Senior Director for Gun Violence Prevention at American Progress, where he leads the organization’s efforts to reduce gun violence and shrink the footprint of the criminal justice system while improving public health and safety. The pair discusses the Biden Administration taking a major step towards closing the 'gun show loophole,' requring thousands more gun dealers to run background checks. The administration first proposed the rule in August, after the passage of the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise in response to the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Uvalde, Texas elementary school. That law expanded the definition of those who are “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, and are required to become licensed by the ATF and therefore run background checks. The rule, which implements the change in the law, will take effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. There are already roughly 80,000 federally licensed firearms dealers. Administration officials believe the new rule will impact more than 20,000 dealers who have gotten away with selling firearms without a license and performing background checks at places like gun shows and over the internet by claiming they aren’t “engaged in the business” of firearm sales. The website for the Center for American Progress is www.AmericanProgress.org. Nick's handle on X is @NickWilsonB.