In a major step toward addressing gun violence in America, Memphis Mayor Paul Young recently joined President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House as the administration unveiled a sweeping executive order aimed at curbing firearm-related crime and improving school safety.
On Thursday, I had the honor of joining President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for the signing of a critical executive order to get dangerous glock switches and machine gun conversion devices off our streets.
This bold action will help save… pic.twitter.com/HwKEByLhlF
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) September 28, 2024
“On Thursday, I had the honor of joining President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House for the signing of a critical executive order to get dangerous glock switches and machine gun conversion devices off our streets,” Young said on social media.
The new initiative seeks to combat emerging firearm threats and introduce updated, trauma-informed active shooter drills in schools.
“Our children deserve better,” President Biden said during the press conference, recounting a painful story of parents who sent their child to school one morning, never imagining that their child wouldn’t come home.
“No parent should ever get that phone call,” Biden added, echoing the grief that countless families across the nation, including Memphis, have felt. “This order is about protecting those kids, about keeping families whole.”
The executive order, Combating Emerging Firearms Threats and Improving School-Based Active Shooter Drills, is one of the most comprehensive initiatives from the Biden administration to date. It allocates federal resources to bolster local efforts aimed at reducing gun-related crime, enhances coordination among law enforcement agencies, and introduces evidence-based approaches to active shooter drills in schools—moving away from fear-driven tactics that many believe traumatize students.
Local Leadership on a National Stage
Memphis residents, particularly those affected by the recent rash of shootings and school closures due to bomb threats, may find hope in this national spotlight. Mayor Young, who has long championed crime reduction efforts in the city, emphasized the critical need for such measures.
“This (executive order) will help save lives and protect our neighborhoods from the devastating effects of gun violence,” he continued in his post. “Thank you to President Biden and Vice President Harris for your leadership and partnership in creating safer communities.”
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has made gun violence prevention a cornerstone of her political career, also shared the harrowing realities facing families across the country.
“Every child in America deserves to feel safe in their classroom,” she remarked. Harris recounted the story of a mother who lost her son to a school shooting, underscoring the importance of improving active shooter drills to focus on preparation without traumatizing students.
In Memphis, the conversation around school safety and gun violence is all too familiar. In 2024, Memphis faced not only gun violence but also a string of bomb threats that forced schools to close for days, shaking the community’s confidence in safety measures. These incidents, coupled with a 4.3% rise in violent crime—driven largely by gun-related incidents—highlight the city’s urgent need for comprehensive safety reforms.
A Federal Push with Local Implications
The executive order arrives at a crucial time for Memphis, where aggravated assaults and gun-related crimes continue to surge. As of mid-2024, the city reported over 9,000 violent crimes, with firearms being a major factor. Gun-related violent incidents have risen by 30.1%, a sobering reminder of the challenge that lies ahead .
In his remarks, President Biden emphasized that the success of the new initiatives depends heavily on local leadership.
“It’s our mayors and our city leaders who know their communities best,” Biden said. “Mayor Young is one of those leaders. He knows what his city needs, and this executive order gives him—and others—the resources to make real change.”
Young has been a vocal advocate for collaborative approaches to reducing violence, working with the Black Mayors Coalition on Crime, which he helped form. This coalition is dedicated to sharing resources and data across cities facing similar challenges.
“Cities can learn a lot from each other,” Young remarked. “We’re in this together. What we’re doing in Memphis can set an example for other cities.”
A Turning Point for Schools
A key component of the executive order is the shift in how schools prepare for active shooter situations. Traditional drills, often designed to shock students into readiness, have been criticized for doing more harm than good. The new protocols will focus on evidence-based strategies to protect students without leaving lasting emotional scars.
“We cannot allow our children to be paralyzed by fear,” Vice President Harris said. “This is about giving them the tools to stay safe, not just survive.”