Good morning, Bulletin readers. Today marks the two-year anniversary of the Parkland shooting. As Florida and the nation reflect, the toll of gun violence on our nation’s youth continues, as our new analysis shows. — Jennifer Mascia, engagement writer
Programming note: The Trace is off Monday for President’s Day. Your next daily briefing will arrive on Tuesday.
Receive this daily news briefing by email every morning. Sign up here.
WHAT TO KNOW TODAY
Every day since Parkland, at least three American kids have been fatally shot. Excluding most suicides, at least 2,600 children 18 and younger have been killed with guns during the two years following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, according to an analysis of data provided by Gun Violence Archive. The majority were victims of community gun violence, domestic violence, drug homicides, unintentional discharges, and stray bullets. Last year, The Trace worked with more than 200 teen journalists to memorialize 1,200 child gun violence victims. Take a minute to read their stories.
Key Florida Republican says new gun reforms are stalled. State Senator Tom Lee is sponsoring a bill that would require background checks at gun shows. He said Wednesday that his and other measures would be “very difficult to pass procedurally.” GOP Senate President Bill Galvano has said gun reform bills were a priority, but his House counterpart and Republican Governor Ron DeSantis are not onboard, News Service of Florida reported.
Nearly 40 top progressive prosecutors signed an open letter after attacks by Bill Barr. The group accused the attorney general of attempting to bring the country back to a “fear-driven ‘tough on crime’ era.” Barr has repeatedly criticized prosecutors he’s dubbed “‘social justice’ reformers.” A deeper look: Philadelphia District AttorneyLarry Krasner, who signed the group letter, was the subject of a Trace feature, published in partnership with The New Republic, that explored his strategy for reducing gun violence through alternatives to incarceration.
Connecticut lawmakers want to implement a hefty tax on ammunition. The Democratic bill would impose a 35 percent excise tax on bullets bought in stores and online. Its backers estimate it would generate some $7 million a year for community gun violence prevention. More on the idea of using levies to curb shootings: The sponsor of Seattle’s ammo tax told us in 2015 that he viewed his proposal as a way to take on gun violence “that’s not an anti-gun screed, but is focused on public health and the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Lawmakers in Utah bring back red flag proposal. A GOP state senator and a Democratic state representative are each introducing bills that would allow police or family members to petition a judge to disarm a potentially dangerous person. The legislation comes a week after a GOP state senator withdrew a red flag bill for lack of support. One of the new bills’ sponsors said, “You don’t win by quitting.”
DATA POINT
Nine states now allow school districts to authorize teachers to carry firearms on K-12 campuses. — National Conference of State Legislatures
