More than 500 people — some linked to transnational cartels and organized crime rings — have been charged with gun trafficking and other crimes under the gun safety legislation President Biden signed two years ago Tuesday, the Associated Press reports. A White House report on the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act said that enhanced background checks under the new law have stopped roughly 800 sales of firearms to people under age 21 who would be prohibited from buying them. It highlights that 14 states are using or planning to use funding from the legislation to make better use of red flag laws, which allow law enforcement to remove weapons from people in crisis but are often underused or not well understood. The report lays out how $85 million has been awarded to 125 school districts across 18 states to help identify students who need mental health care and help them access it.
“It was designed to reduce gun violence and save lives,” Biden said of the law. “And I’m so proud of the tremendous progress we’ve made since then.” The bill was a signature achievement for the Democratic president, who is quick to say it didn't go far enough, as he continues to push for stricter background checks and has called for a ban on assault weapons. Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, meanwhile, has promised no new gun regulations if he returns to the White House. Trump has spoken twice this year at National Rifle Association events and was endorsed by the group in May. The former president has claimed that Biden “has a 40-year record of trying to rip firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens.” His campaign and the Republican National Committee announced the creation of a Gun Owners for Trump coalition that includes gun rights activists and those who work in the firearms industry.
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