The ATF, charged with policing the gun industry, lets dealers get away with falsifying records and selling firearms without background checks.
The programs, policies, and people driving positive change in America’s gun violence problem.
American lives, shaped by guns.
The National Rifle Association is one of the most powerful special interest groups in America. We’re investigating how it spends its money.
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Law Enforcement
The modern defund movement has roots in Baltimore activism. A new focus on bringing residents into city budgeting could inform the national movement.
Politics
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.
Off Target
Chipman's nomination hinged on the decision of Senator Angus King, an independent from Maine. Without King's support, he lacked the votes.
Now up for reelection, Randall Woodfin is struggling to balance police reform with gun violence prevention.
Political headwinds and city's high homicide count are challenging the young mayor's plans to improve public safety.
The Democrats vying for the city's top office are split on how to grapple with rising gun violence and police reform.
ATF
David Chipman’s positions on guns, from The Trace archives.
How We Fix This
Some anti-violence groups were surprised to learn the task force had met at all. Others want to know why the committee doesn’t include more grassroots programs and community members.
Domestic Violence
The House just passed a new version of the law, which funds grants for abuse survivors. Senate Republicans have objected to the gun restrictions added by Democrats.
Brandon Scott believes that outreach workers and social services are as important as the police in reducing Baltimore's gun violence. But political obstacles loom.
Their razor thin majority means passing new laws won’t be easy, but here’s what the caucus will be pushing.
John Lott, who pushes the theory that “more guns = less crime,” was hired in October to advise on crime data.
Gun Policy
He pledged to loosen gun restrictions, but his biggest contribution on gun policy was the ban on bump stocks.
John Lott has a mysterious new federal job that may allow him to shape the crime data that is released to the public.
Election 2020
Republican control of the Senate would stymie the new administration's most ambitious gun policy proposals, but still leaves several paths for reform.
