The programs, policies, and people driving positive change in America’s gun violence problem.
Looking back at the stories we told, and which stuck with us, during an eventful year.
The role of the gun industry in America’s gun violence epidemic.
The National Rifle Association is one of the most powerful special interest groups in America. We’re investigating how it spends its money.
Our team, our mission, our partners, and more. Plus: How to contact us.
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The Industry
About 1.4 million guns were sold in February, according to seasonally adjusted estimates.
Background Checks
The FBI ran 3.9 million screenings last month, topping the previous record for the second time this year.
Coronavirus & Guns
Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Washington all closed dealers because of the coronavirus. Firearms were still flying off shelves.
In many cities, gun violence is dealing a double blow to black communities already ravaged by the pandemic. Community outreach workers are struggling to keep up.
Data shows gun violence outpacing other types of crime in several major cities and running higher than 2019 levels nationally.
Data
A new study from RAND offers several decades of household firearm ownership estimates.
The FBI processed 3.7 million screenings in March, topping the prior all-time high by 12 percent.
We’re tracking orders to shutter — or keep open — firearms retailers across the country.
Reporting by The Trace and FiveThirtyEight has spurred an independent review of a federal database used to track gun injuries.
National Rifle Association
A list of board members, executives, and other high-ranking staffers who have departed the gun group as Wayne LaPierre consolidated power.
While overall fatalities remained relatively unchanged compared to 2017, the share of suicides increased.
The count, which excludes suicides, topped 15,000. Plus: Search our updated map to find incidents of gun violence near you.
This year, the gun group’s PAC has pulled in its biggest haul since 2013. However, a growing number of donors list themselves as retired.
ATF
A new Trace analysis shows states with the highest share of crime guns purchased within 12 months.
The agency is now hiding its most unreliable numbers from the public.
Mass Shooting
Google Shopping has a policy against posting gun accessories. But we identified multiple listings for high-capacity magazines.