Thousands of gun sellers in the US must undergo background checks

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands more firearms dealers across the United States will have to do background checks on potential buyers at gun shows and other places outside of brick-and-mortar stores, under a federal government rule soon to take effect.

The measure aims to close a legal loophole that has allowed tens of thousands of firearms to be sold each year by unlicensed sellers who do not conduct background checks to ensure the potential buyer is legally permitted to possess a gun. . Gun rights groups plan to challenge the rule in court.

It is the latest attempt by President Joe Biden’s administration to combat gun violence. But in an election year, it’s also an attempt to show voters — especially younger voters, among whom gun violence has the greatest impact — that the White House is trying to end the deaths.

“This will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and those who commit acts of domestic violence,” Biden said in a statement. “And my administration will continue to do everything we can to save lives. Congress needs to finish the job and pass a universal background checks initiative now.”

The rule, finalized this week, makes clear that anyone who sells firearms predominantly for profit must have a federal permit and conduct background checks, regardless of whether they conduct their sales online, at gun shows or in a store. physical establishment, Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters.

Biden has made combating violence a central focus of his administration and his re-election campaign, and has created the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which is overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden has also urged Congress to ban so-called assault weapons, an issue that Democrats sidestepped just a few years ago.

The measure will likely face challenges in court from gun rights advocates, who believe the president unfairly targets firearms owners. The National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement in which it indicated that “it is already taking steps to use all means at its disposal to prevent this illegitimate regulation.”