Vice News | 09/12/2016 08:06:08Vice News | 08/12-12/08 Biden is considering a series of moves to curb gun violence, the first of which could involve expanding background checks.
The vice president has long called for tighter gun laws, and he has made it clear that he will do what he can to help the National Rifle Association and other gun rights groups push for stricter legislation, which he says would prevent criminals and the mentally ill from obtaining guns.
On Friday, Biden told NBC News that he would consider taking actions that would strengthen background checks, including expanding the number of firearms and expanding the definition of mental illness to include people with a history of domestic violence or substance abuse.
“The President will consider steps to address mental health and substance abuse in a comprehensive way,” a White House official told NBC in a statement.
Biden is expected to announce his plans for a new package of executive actions later this week, the official said.
Bidens recent push to tighten gun laws came as he traveled to California on Friday.
The vice president is visiting the state to meet with community leaders to discuss a variety of gun policy issues, including the state’s strict gun laws.
California has strict gun regulations that make it harder for people with mental illness, criminal histories and domestic violence convictions to obtain guns.
It also has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.
The state’s governor, Jerry Brown, has said the state should be free to impose gun restrictions.
The National Rifle Assn.
has urged the president to take action to restrict gun access, saying that the president “has the constitutional authority to take decisive action to protect the safety of our communities.”