The White House unveiled new measures aimed at curbing an increase in gun violence and announced the nomination of Steve Dettelbach, former U.S. Attorney in Cleveland, to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Politico reports. ATF has not had a permanent director for seven years.
President Biden previously announced David Chipman of the gun control group Giffords as ATF director, but he withdrew the nomination amid resistance from centrist Democrats and Republicans in the Senate.
On Monday, the White House said Dettelbach “has a proven track record of working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to fight violent crime and combat domestic violent extremism and religious violence — including through partnerships with the ATF to prosecute complex cases and take down violent criminal gangs.”
The White House said the Justice Department has issued a final rule to help stop the spread of “ghost guns” — homemade or makeshift firearms that lack serial numbers.
The rule “bans the business of manufacturing the most accessible ghost guns” and “clarifies that these kits qualify as ‘firearms’ under the Gun Control Act.” according to the White House. It also will “help turn some ghost guns already in circulation into serialized firearms.”
The White House said the rule requires firearms dealers “to retain key records until they shut down their business or licensed activity,” and it “ensures that firearms with split receivers are subject to regulations requiring serial numbers and background checks.”