[ti:Biden Announces New Gun Control Measures] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]American President Joe Biden announced new measures Thursday [00:05.60]aimed at decreasing gun violence, [00:08.80]which he called "an epidemic and an international embarrassment." [00:15.60]Two mass shootings in the United States last month killed 18 people. [00:22.00]One attack took place at a food store in Boulder, Colorado. [00:26.60]The other happened at three businesses in and near Atlanta, Georgia. [00:33.84]Speaking from the White House, Biden said he learned [00:37.88]that five more people were killed "just last night" in South Carolina. [00:44.76]He told families and survivors of gun violence, [00:48.72]"We're absolutely determined to make change." [00:52.84]Biden said the Justice Department will issue a rule [00:57.68]to stop the quickly increasing number of "ghost guns." [01:02.64]These guns are often put together from available parts [01:07.76]in as little as 30 minutes. [01:11.04]They are not registered weapons [01:13.56]and often cannot be traced by law enforcement. [01:18.24]USA Today reported that ghost guns [01:22.04]have been used in at least three recent shootings in California. [01:27.92]The Justice Department is also planning to issue a new rule [01:32.24]on a device called a stabilizing brace. [01:36.40]The device can make a handgun work more like a rifle, a deadlier firearm. [01:43.60]The new rule would make it difficult to register the weapon. [01:49.04]Biden also said the Justice Department [01:51.92]will begin issuing yearly reports on illegal sales of firearms. [01:58.80]The president also announced a so-called "red flag" measure. [02:04.36]It permits civilians and local law enforcement [02:08.48]to seek legal firearms seizures [02:12.16]from people they think pose a threat. [02:16.12]"Red flag laws can stop mass shooters [02:19.48]before they can act out their violent plans," Biden said. [02:25.16]The president noted that his administration [02:28.16]is also investing in local communities to help prevent gun violence. [02:34.80]He said that gun violence is severely hurting America's children, [02:40.28]including those who do not experience direct involvement. [02:46.08]And, Biden announced his nomination of David Chipman to serve as Director [02:52.28]of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, or ATF. [02:59.72]Chipman worked at the agency for 25 years [03:03.72]and is now an advisor to a gun-control organization. [03:09.24]While at ATF, Chipman worked to stop a gun trafficking group [03:14.52]that sent illegal firearms from Virginia to New York. [03:19.84]He also served on the ATF's special weapons defense team. [03:25.00]Chipman is a gun owner. [03:28.04]Acting directors have headed the ATF for years. [03:32.20]If confirmed, Chipman will become [03:35.48]the agency's first permanent leader since 2015. [03:41.20]The National Rifle Association moved quickly [03:44.76]to denounce Biden's gun-control measures. [03:48.52]The organization said Thursday, [03:51.16]"These actions could require Americans [03:54.60]to surrender lawful property," adding that states [03:59.44]might use the measure to increase firearm seizures. [04:04.40]The group said on Twitter, "It's time to STAND and FIGHT!" [04:10.28]John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, [04:15.04]praised the administration's new measures [04:18.12]as a starting point for dealing with gun violence. [04:22.84]The new laws, he said, [04:24.92]"begin to make good on President Biden's promise [04:28.76]to be the strongest gun safety president in history." [04:34.04]In his speech, Biden noted some limitations of his executive orders. [04:40.72]He asked the Senate to immediately pass current bills [04:45.52]from the House of Representatives that require background checks [04:49.80]and longer waiting periods on gun purchases. [04:54.20]"They have offered plenty of thoughts and prayers, [04:57.84]but they have passed not a single federal law [05:01.68]to reduce gun violence," Biden said. [05:05.00]"Enough prayers. Time for action." [05:09.04]I'm Caty Weaver. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM