'Rational idea': Internet split over Biden admin's move to close 'gun-show loophole' on firearms purchase

WASHINGTON, DC: The Biden administration is seeking to end the "gun-show loophole", marking one of the most notable expansions of federal background checks in decades, NBC News reported.

"This single gap in our federal background check system has caused unimaginable pain and suffering," Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters.

The Department of Justice will submit a 466-page regulation on Thursday, April 12, to the Federal Register requiring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to register any person "engaged in the business" of gun sale at a profit as a federally licensed firearms dealer. The regulation also demands mandatory background criminal and mental health checks of people purchasing firearms.

In addition, "engaged in the business" also includes anyone selling guns at flea markets and online, as well as people who sell a small number of firearms. Exceptions include sellers of private collections and family heirlooms.

New regulation to affect over 23,000 unlicensed dealers

The Department of Justice said that the latest regulation would impact more than 23,000 unlicensed dealers and tens of thousands of yearly gun sales.

"Under this regulation, it will not matter if guns are sold on the internet, at a gun show, or at a brick-and-mortar store: if you sell guns predominantly to earn a profit, you must be licensed, and you must conduct background checks," Attorney General Merrick Garland said, describing the statute as "a historic step in the Justice Department's fight against gun violence."

President Joe Biden urged Congress to pass the new regulation through a video message on X. "Congress needs to finish the job and pass universal background check legislation now," he said.

ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said the new changes will be effective within a month and emphasized the final ruling would "not infringe on anyone's Second Amendment rights, and it will not negatively impact the many law-abiding licensed firearms dealers in our nation."

The administration is set to uphold the 2022 gun control law to challenge potential legal oppositions to the regulation, which will become effective 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

However, Republican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis opposed the statute and proposed introducing joint legislation against the new changes.

Besides the Biden campaign's policy to regulate the use of firearms, the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, intensified calls for gun safety.

Biden admin's new regulation divides Internet

One group of social media users lauded the new gun control regulation, while another opposed it.

One social media user wrote, "This is a rational idea and I imagine people are going to freak out over it." While another argued, "The gunshow loop hole is a myth."

"Honestly that seems fair. That’s exactly what you have to do in the resell game with shoes; you have register as a seller and make sure your product is legit and not a fake copy. It adds accountability," one person remarked. Meanwhile, someone wrote, "More dictator actions from the Biden administration!!"

One person wrote, "You have to have a license to sell alcohol. Makes sense you should have to have one to sell guns."

Another claimed, "The gun show loophole is a lie. Anyone who has any experience purchasing a firearm knows this."

"This is an important step in addressing the gun violence problem plaguing the country," an individual added.

One remark read, "The government has no say in the matter. The Constitution is the law of the land. Any law that violates it is null and void. Citizens weapon rights are never on the table for debate or subject to change."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online