Biden Gun Control Plan Would Ban ‘Assault Weapon’ Sales, But Not Force ’Buybacks’

Joe Biden’s campaign released an 11-page comprehensive gun control plan Wednesday morning, in which the former vice president proposes the reintroduction of an assault weapons ban, but offers only a voluntary buyback for current owners.

Biden’s plan also includes a universal background check for gun purchases – except for gifts between close family members – and $900 million in federal funding over eight years for anti-gun violence programs in U.S. inner cities.

The voluntary government purchasing program distances the former vice president from other Democratic presidential candidates, including Beto O’Rourke, whose viral “hell yes, we’re going to take your AR-15,” comment in the third Democratic debate sparked controversy over the prospect of gun confiscation.

President Trump took aim at O’Rourke in a tweet after the debate, saying “Dummy Beto made it much harder to make a deal,” and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a conference call that “I don’t know of any other Democrat who agrees with Beto O’Rourke.” But fellow candidates Kamala Harris and Cory Booker have also expressed support for a mandatory buyback, with Booker telling Bloomberg that foreign countries have been successful in taking assault weapons “off the streets.”