Biden Administration announces new rule on gun background checks

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a new rule that will reduce the number of firearms sold without a background check.

Background checks will now be required at gun shows and online venues. The final rule is an implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, an initiative seeking to reduce gun crimes in areas like the valley.

This action is part of the Biden-Harris Administration's strategy to stem the flow of illegally acquired firearms into our communities and hold accountable those who supply the firearms used in crime.

They are looking to close “loopholes” around background checks in gun retail, such as private selling at gun fairs and online purchases.

Brian Guerra, a Harlingen retailer with Lone Star Guns explains as a licensed vendor that "At our normal course of business that we do sometimes we sell at gun shows, but as a licensed retailer we already have to do everything that is now required by private individuals who do business at gun shows," said Guerra.

The expansion also impacts online sales due to a Federal Firearms License now being required for firearms sales between states.

"Not everybody had really complied with that, so this new law will require from what I’m reading, will require any online sale, whether it’s personal, private, whatever, any transaction that is done online will be required to be sent from an FFL to an FFL," said Guerra.

With more private measures requiring checks, Guerra noted that local officers should better understand how and where these guns enter the black market.

“Now this is going to help, from what I understand, this is gonna help local police departments and whatnot understand how the movement is and then they can tell the federal government and agencies any transit they may see," said Guerra.

“If this rule is implemented, there will be FFLs or there will be less individuals selling weapons at those gun fairs, then the FFLs are required to send us and notice us when an individual buys a weapon in store that is situated in a rural area in the county and let us know if an individual bought more than one or two weapons," said Garza.

Ultimately it is up to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms whether these background checks go into effect.

“It doesn’t really make them get background checks. The actual law allows the ATF to expand the definition of whether an individual is in the business of selling weapons for profit," said Garza.