Biden wants to expand gun background checks with new executive order

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday designed to extend that Background check A visit to the suburbs of Los Angeles which was the site of a mass shooting this year.

Biden issued the order shortly before a trip to Monterey Park, where 11 people were killed At a gathering to celebrate the Lunar New Year in January.

“We’ve all seen a day and celebration and light turned into a day of fear and darkness,” Biden said in remarks Tuesday afternoon where he read the names of mass shooting victims.

“I’m here to play with you today,” Biden said.

The executive order also directed Attorney General Merrick Garland to clarify the statutory definition of “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, an administration official said was extensively detailed in the bipartisan gun law. Biden signed the law last year After the mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

“This news means fewer guns will be sold without background checks, and therefore fewer guns will end up in the hands of criminals and domestic abusers,” the official said on a call with reporters previewing the order.

The National Instant Background Check System last year conducted background checks on more than 31 million people seeking to own firearms or explosives, FBI data show.

Administration officials said it was unclear how many new background checks the executive order would result in.

“It’s just common sense,” Biden said Tuesday. “To check if someone is a felon and a domestic abuser before buying a gun.”

The order also called on members of Biden’s cabinet to promote the effective use of extreme risk protection orders, or “red flag” laws, in 19 states and Washington, D.C., by partnering with law enforcement agencies, health care providers and educators.

Through the order, Biden encouraged the Federal Trade Commission to produce a report examining how gun manufacturers market firearms to minors.

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A newly divided Congress appears unlikely to tackle another gun bill after passing a sweeping bipartisan bill last year. The measure provides grants to states for red flag laws, expands background checks to include juvenile records and closes the so-called boyfriend loophole by keeping guns away from unmarried dating partners convicted of abuse. In addition, it requires funding for improved background checks and youth mental health services for people ages 18 to 21.

Biden signed the bill just two days after the Supreme Court turned upside down A law that restricts concealed carry permits.

In Tuesday’s remarks, Biden also talked about his 2024 budget proposal, which was sent to Congress last week. The White House presented the proposal Funding for crime prevention As a possible point of agreement with congressional Republicans.

“Last week I said in my budget that we would invest more in safer communities and expand access to mental health services for those affected by gun violence,” Biden said. “Congressional Republicans should pass my budget instead of cutting these services or defunding the police or abolishing the FBI as we’ve heard from our MAGA Republican friends.”

Biden called on Congress to act on guns in his State of the Union address last month, when he honored guest Brandon Say, who helped take down the Monterey Park suspect.

“We know our work is not done,” Biden said At the time “Let’s get the job done and ban these assault weapons.”

Biden on Tuesday reiterated his call for Congress to ban so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, a goal he was unable to achieve when Democrats controlled both chambers.

“Let’s be clear, none of this absolves Congress of the responsibility to act, by passing universal background checks, by removing immunity from liability for gun manufacturers,” Biden said. “I am once again determined to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”

This article was originally published NBCNews.com