Where the 2020 Democratic Candidates Stand on Guns
We polled every campaign on an array of gun policies. Here’s what they said.
Gun Policy
Democrats’ Bill Would Nudge States to Require Permits for Handgun Purchases
Studies have found that permitting laws on top of background checks have been effective at reducing gun homicides and suicides.
Gun Owners Support Smart Guns, But Few Want to Buy Them
The majority of gun owners support the sale of smart guns — but few will…
Twitter Announces New Policy Banning 3D-Printed Gun Files
Three weeks after The Trace reported that Twitter users were freely distributing design files…
Legal Weed Could Send Millions of Dollars to Illinois’s Violence Prevention Groups
Organizations working to reduce shootings in the state have long struggled to secure steady sources of funding. “We’re on the cusp of something really spectacular,” said one prevention worker.
Virginia Has Resisted a Ban on High-Capacity Magazines, but Data Suggests a Federal Version Was Effective
When a federal 10-year ban was in place, Virginia police saw as much as a 52 percent decline in the seizure of such accessories.
Gun Reform Package Sputters in Illinois as Legislature Adjourns
The Illinois Legislature concluded a marathon session over the weekend without advancing a…
Washington State Debuts Unique Tool to Reduce Gun Suicides
An innovative prevention measure gives people the power to suspend their own gun rights. For the law professor who developed the concept, it’s deeply personal.
Bill to Revamp Illinois’s Gun Licensing System Advances Despite Pushback
Lawmakers’ response to the February mass shooting in Aurora would increase the price of a gun license, and require prospective owners to submit their fingerprints.
One State’s Plan to Make Violent White Supremacy Grounds for Gun Removal
An amendment to Washington’s red flag law aims to broaden the scope of the state's tool for civil gun seizure.
New Bill Would Require Gun Stores to Secure Weapons After Hours
The proposal comes after an investigation by The Trace and The New Yorker found that thieves are exploiting lax security and stealing thousands of weapons that end up on the black market.
Use of Red Flag Laws Varies Widely Among Local Police
Several states passed civil gun-seizure laws after Parkland, but their impact has varied state by state.