Reducing Gun Violence and Making Our Communities Safer

This executive order directs federal agencies to implement the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and take additional steps to reduce gun violence, including clarifying firearms dealer licensing requirements, promoting safe storage and red flag laws, improving ballistics data reporting, and developing support programs for gun violence survivors.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 16527

Impact dates

Sep 15, 2023
Proposal on Federal support for gun violence survivors, families, first responders, and affected communities
Sep 10, 2023
Federal law enforcement NIBIN submission and utilization policies
May 13, 2023
Agency reports on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act implementation

Key directives

Attorney General, HHS, Education, DHS to submit implementation reports on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act within 60 days
Attorney General to develop plan clarifying 'engaged in the business' definition for firearms dealers, including possible rulemaking
Attorney General to prevent revoked/surrendered FFLs from continuing firearms dealing
Attorney General to publicly release FFL inspection reports for cited violations
Attorney General to support modernization and permanent extension of Undetectable Firearms Act
Defense, DOJ, DHS, HHS, Education, VA to expand safe storage campaigns
Defense, DOJ, DHS, HHS, Education to promote extreme risk protection order ('red flag') usage
Multi-agency proposal on survivor/first responder/community support due by September 15, 2023
Defense to develop firearm safety principles for DOD acquisitions
Federal law enforcement heads to issue NIBIN policies within 180 days
Transportation to work with DOJ on reducing firearm theft/loss during FFL shipments
FTC encouraged to report on gun manufacturer marketing to minors and civilians

Timeline

Immediate

EO takes effect upon signing

Near term (90d)

Agency reports on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act implementation due (60 days)
NIBIN submission policies due for federal law enforcement (180 days falls outside 90 days)

Long term

Survivor support proposal due September 15, 2023
Potential rulemaking on firearms dealer definitions
Modernization of Undetectable Firearms Act

Risks & tensions

Rulemaking on 'engaged in the business' definition likely to face legal challenges and political opposition from gun rights groups
FTC report is 'encouraged' not mandated—weak enforceability
DOD acquisition safety principles may conflict with operational readiness requirements; 'tailored' language suggests flexibility that could dilute effect
Safe storage and red flag promotion rely on state/local cooperation; federal 'encouragement' has limited direct regulatory force
September 15 survivor support proposal requires congressional resources/authorities, creating implementation uncertainty
Vague 'as appropriate and consistent with applicable law' qualifiers on multiple directives create discretion that may reduce action