Biden Targets Second Amendment with Flurry of Executive Orders

As Joe Biden prepared to take the reins at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there were serious concerns among constitutionalists that he may attempt to tamper with the Second Amendment, thanks to the majority that the Democrats now hold in Congress.

And while the fears were correct, Biden very much wishes to adjust the way Americans exercise their right to bear arms, it appears as though the Commander in Chief is looking to sidestep Congress altogether.

President Biden issued sweeping executive actions on Thursday restricting access to popular firearms, a move that could turn millions of Americans into felons overnight.

In a series of six executive actions, Biden directed the Department of Justice to propose rule changes that would regulate unfinished gun parts as completed guns. He also told the agency to change the rules around AR-15 pistol brace devices—specialty slings that replace standard shoulder stocks—which could potentially outlaw once-legal guns. The rule changes have the potential to turn millions of gun owners into felons.

“This is an epidemic for God’s sake,” Biden said during his speech at the White House. “It has to stop.”

There was a swift and stern pushback, however.

The NRA called the measures “extreme” and warned they “could require law-abiding citizens to surrender lawful property, and push states to expand gun confiscation orders” before promising to “fight” the actions. The Second Amendment Foundation said it plans to review the proposals once they are finalized and is already considering legal action.

“The devil will be in the details,” Alan Gottlieb, founder of the group, said in a statement. “Our legal team will review them and we are prepared to file suit if Biden and his administration step over their legal authority.”

Presidential executive orders do not hold any sort of authority over the Constitution itself, however, and any such actions by a Commander in Chief are prime fodder for the court system.