What Ideas Are in Play in the Latest U.S. Gun Debate?

Mass shootings in Atlanta and in Boulder, Colorado, are an early test of what President Joe Biden and fellow Democrats in the U.S. Congress can do about gun violence. Even before the recent shootings, Democratic lawmakers had begun advancing legislation to expand background checks for gun buyers and extending the time the FBI has to vet prospective gun buyers. Those were among the initiatives that Biden, who helped pass a landmark gun-control law as a senator, advocated as a candidate for president. Here’s a status report on proposed government actions.

Biden pledged on the campaign trail to create a $900 million initiative to steer prospective offenders away from violence. The Justice Department, which already funds local crime-fighting efforts, could carry out a program such as this. Under Obama, the department funded youth gang and gun violence initiatives in 16 cities. The efforts involved law enforcement, residents and faith organizations. Biden advisers Susan Rice and Cedric Richmond met with community violence prevention advocates in mid-February, though the White House has yet to announce concrete actions in this area.