Fact-Checking Biden’s Latest Gun Control Press Conference
On Thursday, Joe Biden announced further executive actions on the subject of gun control, saying “Enough prayers, time for some action.”
During the announcement, Biden delivered a speech riddled with falsehoods. Let’s debunk some of the most egregious claims Biden made during his short statement.
Biden parrots the “gun show loophole” lie
“These bills, one, require background checks for anyone purchasing a gun at a gun show, or an online sale,” Biden said, which triggered applause from the audience.
“Most people don’t know it, you walk into a store and you buy a gun, you have a background check. But you go to a gun show, you can buy whatever you want, and no background check.”
Joe Biden lies, claiming that you can buy a gun at a gun show without a background check. pic.twitter.com/7IhUJWHrbP
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) April 8, 2021
This is one of the most prevalent and misleading falsehoods promulgated by the Left when it comes to gun control. Federally licensed gun sellers are required, by law, to run background checks on all firearm purchases, whether at a gun show or in their gun store.
Unlicensed private individuals are permitted to sell guns without running a background check, but this is the case regardless of their location.
Biden falsely claims that “his” assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban reduced mass shootings
“I know this has been a hobby horse of mine for a long time. Got it done once,” Biden said. “We should also ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country.”
“For that 10 years we had it done, the number of mass shootings actually went down,” Biden claimed.
Biden claims that “For that 10 years we had [assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban] done, the number of mass shootings actually went down.” This is not true. pic.twitter.com/3oecOFNv07
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) April 8, 2021
As Katie Pavlich wrote in March 2021 for Townhall in a piece titled “Fact Check the Left: Did a Clinton Era Gun Ban ‘Bring Down Mass Killings’ as Biden Claims?” this is simply false.
Not only is this period too small a sample size to reach any statistically significant conclusions, but the average number of mass shootings per year before and during the “Assault Weapons Ban” didn’t change, staying at 1.5 events per year.
Biden argues that stabilizing braces make weapons more lethal
“We want to treat pistols, modified with stabilizing braces, with the seriousness they deserve,” Biden said. “A stabilizing brace […] essentially makes that pistol a hell of a lot more accurate and a mini-rifle. As a result, it’s more lethal. Effectively, turning it into a short-barreled rifle.”
“That’s what the alleged shooter in Boulder appears to have done,” he added.
Joe Biden just claimed adding a “stabilizing brace” to an AR-pistol makes it “more lethal.”
This is literally not true and one of the most insane things I’ve ever heard on the topic of guns. pic.twitter.com/yw8RjBTNbv
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) April 8, 2021
The lethality of the firearm is the key part here, given that the stability of the gun after being fired (which is the purpose of the stabilizing brace) has no effective impact on the bullet fired or its deadliness.
Biden lies, saying that gun violence is an epidemic
“Gun violence in this country is an epidemic,” Biden claimed. “Let me say it again. Gun violence in this country is an epidemic.
Pres. Biden: ‘Gun violence in this country is an epidemic and international embarrassment’ pic.twitter.com/CmaO1TlZmz
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) April 8, 2021
While gun violence certainly exists, the truth is that “as gun ownership has increased, the rate of firearm homicides has steadily declined since a brief spike in the early 1990s.”
Joe Biden makes numerous false claims about the U.S. Constitution
“But no amendment, no amendment to the Constitution is absolute.” Biden said. “You can’t yell ‘fire’ in a crowded movie theater and call it freedom of speech.”
This claim is routinely parroted by members of the Left while attempting to pick holes in the First and Second Amendments. Unfortunately for them, it’s a false claim.
“From the very beginning, you couldn’t own any weapon you wanted to own. From the very beginning of the Second Amendment existed, certain people weren’t allowed to have weapons. So the idea is just bizarre to suggest that some of the things we’re recommending are contrary to the Constitution,” Biden also said.
Biden tells multiple lies about the US Constitution. pic.twitter.com/1AB9NHexFL
— Ian Haworth (@ighaworth) April 8, 2021
The Second Amendment reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” While it is true that not all people have been permitted to “have weapons,” as Biden claimed, the reasoning behind such prevention was often changed by further amendments, such as the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.
Ian Haworth is an Editor and Writer for The Daily Wire. Follow him on Twitter at @ighaworth.
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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