Good morning, Bulletin readers. A multistate lawsuit succeeded in stopping Trump administration changes in gun rules. And Joe Biden picked up two coveted endorsements from prominent gun reform groups.
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WHAT TO KNOW TODAY
Judge pushes pause on Trump admin’s plans for 3D-printed guns. A federal judge in Washington State issued a temporary injunction blocking a Trump administration rule change that would allow the sharing of 3D-printed gun schematics online. Twenty-one states are suing over the proposed change, which would transfer regulatory authority of 3D-printed guns from the State Department to the Commerce Department. They argue the switch will make it much easier to publish and share plans for the homemade, untraceable weapons on the Internet. The judge agreed: “The proliferation of 3D gun files on the internet likely renders ineffective arms embargoes, export controls and other measures used to restrict the availability of uniquely dangerous weapons sought by those seeking to commit acts of terrorism or other serious crimes.”
Joe Biden picks up key endorsements from top gun reform groups. Both Brady and Everytown for Gun Safety said they support the former vice president over Bernie Sanders. On the campaign trail, Biden has repeatedly criticized the Vermont senator for his past pro-gun views. However, as our candidate guide shows, Sanders’s positions have evolved significantly. (Everytown provides grants to The Trace through its nonpolitical arm. Here’s our list of major donors and our policy on editorial independence.)
Republican boycott sinks gun reform in Oregon. Last month, GOP lawmakers fled the state capitol in an effort to block a climate change bill. The boycott continued until late last week, when Democrats adjourned the session early, unable to pass any bills without a quorum. Among the legislation that died on the vine: A safe storage measure that would have required gun owners to lock up their weapons.
ICYMI: Virginia gun laws: The big changes coming to the Old Dominion. With this year’s legislative session nearly wrapped up, the Democratic-led General Assembly passed seven of the eight bills that made up Governor Ralph Northam’s agenda, including universal background checks and a red flag law. Get caught up with our newly updated roundup of the historic reform package.
Rhode Island lawmakers brace for gun-rights protest amid coronavirus outbreak. The House Judiciary Committee will hold hearings Wednesday on 18 gun-related bills, including a ban on high-capacity magazines. Hundreds of people are expected to attend — the National Rifle Association asked its members in the state “to make their presence known” at the State House. Senate President Dominick Ruggerio invited the public to submit email testimony instead. “You will see me with a lot of Lysol wipes & Purell,” said Representative Justine Caldwell.
DATA POINT
68 percent of Hispanic voters say gun laws should be stricter, according to a recent Pew poll. Nationally, that view is shared by 59 percent of registered voters. — Pew Research Center
