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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Ask The Trace
After receiving several questions from readers, our Ask The Trace series examines militia groups, from the Constitution to the modern day.
The Industry
A report from the Chicago mayor’s office named gun stores whose wares consistently wound up in city crimes. ATF records show the agency was lenient.
Mass Shooting
As The Trace and VICE News have reported, guns modified with automatic conversion devices have gained popularity throughout the country.
Concealed Carry
A vaguely worded law requires applicants to fire a gun under the supervision of an instructor. It's inspired some training companies to meet the requirement in creative ways.
The Trace previously reported that the company declared bankruptcy and rebranded multiple times, avoiding lawsuits and investigations.
Politics
The Biden administration is expected to detail its gun violence policy team for the first time. The move comes after reform groups questioned whether the staffing plan is sufficient to drive change.
The Business of Guns
With VICE News, we document the rise of the auto sear, a small, cheap device that converts a semiautomatic firearm into an automatic one. Court records show that auto sears have been used in robberies, homicides, and extremist attacks.
For decades, fully automatic weapons were expensive, collectable, and rarely used in crimes. Auto sears, which can cost less than $20 online, have changed that.
How We Fix This
Dr. Gillian Naro was working a night shift when her hospital faced an active shooter. In an interview with The Trace, she discusses the experience, and how she hopes to prevent more violence.
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.
