© The HillDOJ proposes crackdown on 'ghost guns' following Biden pledge
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday took aim at "ghost guns," proposing to close a loophole that allows people to avoid background checks as they purchase guns without serial numbers.
A proposed rule from the Biden administration expands the definition of a firearm to include weapons that can be assembled at home.
The process not only allows those barred from owning a firearm to create their own weapon, but the kits also lack a serial number, making it difficult to trace guns that have been used in crimes.
"We are committed to taking commonsense steps to address the epidemic of gun violence that takes the lives of too many people in our communities," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
"Criminals and others barred from owning a gun should not be able to exploit a loophole to evade background checks and to escape detection by law enforcement. This proposed rule would help keep guns out of the wrong hands and make it easier for law enforcement to trace guns used to commit violent crimes, while protecting the rights of law-abiding Americans. Although this rulemaking will solve only one aspect of the problem, we have an obligation to do our part to keep our families and our neighborhoods safe from gun violence."
The proposal is the first major action the administration has taken on guns since President Biden in late March called on Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines as well as close various background check loopholes.
If finalized, DOJ's rule would expand what qualifies as a firearm, and those selling firearm kits would be required to perform background checks before sales.
Manufacturers and firearm dealers would also be required to "have a serial number added to 3D printed guns or other un-serialized firearms they take into inventory."
According to the Justice Department, some 23,000 guns without serial numbers were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes, including 325 in connection with homicides or attempted homicides.