Chip Brownlee

Chip is a reporter at The Trace covering federal policy related to violence prevention and firearms. Before joining The Trace as an investigative fellow in June 2020, Chip worked as a reporter and the editor-in-chief of his collegiate newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman. He also covered the state legislature, governor, courts, and elections for the Alabama Political Reporter. As an undergraduate, Chip studied political science and journalism at Auburn University. He also earned an M.A. with a concentration in politics from the Columbia Journalism School.

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What Does a Tweak to the Background Check System Mean for States That Run Their Own?

Ask The Trace

What Does a Tweak to the Background Check System Mean for States That Run Their Own?

A reader asks about a provision in the new Violence Against Women Act that requires the federal government to notify local officials when someone fails a background check.

Chip Brownlee
The Biden Administration’s Inconsistency on Gun Liability

Gun Policy

The Biden Administration’s Inconsistency on Gun Liability

Biden slams the firearms industry's liability shield at every turn. So why is the DOJ still defending it in court?

Chip Brownlee
Bipartisan Deal Over Violence Against Women Act Targets People Who Lie on Gun Background Checks

Politics

Bipartisan Deal Over Violence Against Women Act Targets People Who Lie on Gun Background Checks

A provision to notify local officials when someone fails a federal background check could be the only gun reform measure to hit President Joe Biden’s desk before the midterms.

Chip Brownlee
Advocates Say Biden Is Ignoring a Major Gun Violence Prevention Opportunity

Gun Policy

Advocates Say Biden Is Ignoring a Major Gun Violence Prevention Opportunity

Reform groups are urging the president to create a federal office to coordinate efforts to address shootings. But he continues to avoid the subject.

Chip Brownlee
NYC Mayor’s Sweeping Violence Prevention Plan Merges Community Programs With Policing

Politics

NYC Mayor’s Sweeping Violence Prevention Plan Merges Community Programs With Policing

An increase in gun violence poses a political challenge for new Mayor Eric Adams.

Chip Brownlee
32 States Let People Carry Guns Without Learning How to Shoot One

Concealed Carry

32 States Let People Carry Guns Without Learning How to Shoot One

'Permitless' carry laws are sweeping the country — and fewer states require gun owners to take live-fire training, according to a Trace review.

Jennifer Mascia and Chip Brownlee
A Year In, President Biden’s Bold Gun Reform Agenda Remains Largely Aspirational

Politics

A Year In, President Biden’s Bold Gun Reform Agenda Remains Largely Aspirational

Gun reform advocates who supported Biden have been frustrated by the president’s failure to get any significant reform legislation through a Democratic Congress.

Chip Brownlee
Gun Violence in 2021, By the Numbers

Year in Review

Gun Violence in 2021, By the Numbers

The facts and figures that stuck with us.

Chip Brownlee
There Are Only Two City-Funded Violence Prevention Sites Tackling Surging Violence in Upper Manhattan

Community Violence

There Are Only Two City-Funded Violence Prevention Sites Tackling Surging Violence in Upper Manhattan

Violence interrupters work in their own communities, guiding their friends and neighbors away from dangerous encounters. Extending that care to other neighborhoods depends on more funding.

Chip Brownlee
Can Eric Adams Square His Pro-Police Image With Support For Community-Led Solutions to Violence?

Politics

Can Eric Adams Square His Pro-Police Image With Support For Community-Led Solutions to Violence?

If the Democrat wins the race for NYC mayor, he’ll have to make tough decisions about how much to fund the NYPD versus alternative intervention programs.

Chip Brownlee
Missouri Governor: ‘We Can Correct’ Issues Caused by ‘Sanctuary’ Law

Daily Bulletin

Missouri Governor: ‘We Can Correct’ Issues Caused by ‘Sanctuary’ Law

What to Know Today Missouri governor acknowledges complications caused by “Second Amendment Sanctuary” act. The law, which just took effect late last month, essentially blocks local and state law enforcement from enforcing federal gun regulations. In practice, though, law…

Chip Brownlee
Mental Health

As Students Return to Classrooms, Schools Hope Investments in Mental Health Will Also Curb Violence

The connections between gun violence and mental health are murky, but experts bet that supporting student well-being will help keep them safe.

Chip Brownlee
Hospital-Based Intervention Can Save Lives. A Growing Movement Is Betting on Medicaid to Fund It.

How We Fix This

Hospital-Based Intervention Can Save Lives. A Growing Movement Is Betting on Medicaid to Fund It.

The Biden administration has quietly backed an idea that recently became law in Connecticut. Advocates say they hope more states will soon follow.

Chip Brownlee
Birmingham’s Young Mayor Promised to Radically Rethink Criminal Justice. Then Shootings Spiked.

Politics

Birmingham’s Young Mayor Promised to Radically Rethink Criminal Justice. Then Shootings Spiked.

Now up for reelection, Randall Woodfin is struggling to balance police reform with gun violence prevention.

Chip Brownlee
How NYC Mayoral Candidates Plan to Address Gun Violence

Politics

How NYC Mayoral Candidates Plan to Address Gun Violence

The Democrats vying for the city's top office are split on how to grapple with rising gun violence and police reform.

Chip Brownlee

The only newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence.

Chip Brownlee

What Does a Tweak to the Background Check System Mean for States That Run Their Own?

The Biden Administration’s Inconsistency on Gun Liability

Bipartisan Deal Over Violence Against Women Act Targets People Who Lie on Gun Background Checks

Advocates Say Biden Is Ignoring a Major Gun Violence Prevention Opportunity

NYC Mayor’s Sweeping Violence Prevention Plan Merges Community Programs With Policing

32 States Let People Carry Guns Without Learning How to Shoot One

A Year In, President Biden’s Bold Gun Reform Agenda Remains Largely Aspirational

Gun Violence in 2021, By the Numbers

There Are Only Two City-Funded Violence Prevention Sites Tackling Surging Violence in Upper Manhattan

Can Eric Adams Square His Pro-Police Image With Support For Community-Led Solutions to Violence?

Missouri Governor: ‘We Can Correct’ Issues Caused by ‘Sanctuary’ Law

As Students Return to Classrooms, Schools Hope Investments in Mental Health Will Also Curb Violence

Hospital-Based Intervention Can Save Lives. A Growing Movement Is Betting on Medicaid to Fund It.

Birmingham’s Young Mayor Promised to Radically Rethink Criminal Justice. Then Shootings Spiked.

How NYC Mayoral Candidates Plan to Address Gun Violence