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Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat on Administration’s Crack Down on Ghost Guns

April 11, 2022

Provisions of Espaillat’s Ghost Guns Legislation Included Within Framework of Actions to Strengthen Gun Laws

WASHINGTON, DCRepresentative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) met with President Biden and administration officials at the White House during today’s announcement to crack down on ghost guns in an effort to further strengthen gun laws around the nation.

“Gun violence remains a crisis that takes countless lives and a toll on our communities, and undoubtedly ghost guns are making our fight against gun violence more difficult. Over the past several years, we have witnessed a drastic increase in ghost guns on our streets, wreaking havoc on our communities, and tearing our families apart. I have introduced my ghost gun legislation each Congress since 2017 - H.R. 1454, the Ghost Guns Are Guns Act - to ensure that gun parts and gun kits are classified as firearms under federal law, ensuring that they are subject to background checks. I am proud that the administration has announced the completion of a rule defining ghost guns as firearms, and urge passage of my bill so that this important action cannot easily be overturned.” said Espaillat.

During the meeting, President Biden and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced additional steps the administration is taking to combat gun crime. Additionally, the President nominated Steve Dettelbach to serve as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the nation’s top federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing our commonsense gun laws, and which has been vacant since the previous administration.

“Ensuring that the ATF has the leadership it needs to enforce our commonsense gun laws and fight gun crime is critical in our efforts to address the ongoing surge of violence in communities around the nation. Today’s nomination of Steve Dettelbach is a welcomed first step and reaffirms President Biden’s commitment to addressing this crisis that has plagued too many families for far too long,” Espaillat concluded.

Espaillat’s bill, H.R. 1454, the Ghost Guns Are Guns Act, currently has nearly 90 cosponsors and has been endorsed by Brady, March for Our Lives, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, Newtown Action Alliance, Violence Policy Center, and Honor with Action Coalition.