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Gun Violence Prevention

More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2022 than any other year on record, and gun violence was the leading cause of death for children. The Center for American Progress is committed to advancing evidence-based gun violence prevention policies and advocating for local, state, and federal investments in violence prevention programs and victim services. We are also committed to examining gun violence through a racial equity lens and rooting out systemic racism because while gun violence affects every community in the United States, young Black and brown people experience the highest rates of gun homicides.

We can help build safe and just communities by holding gun manufacturers and the gun industry accountable, closing gun law loopholes, and balancing immediate actions we can take to address recent increases in gun violence with long-term solutions focused on root causes. In addition to passing gun control laws to address how easy it is to buy a gun in America, the country must advance holistic community safety and justice policies that advocate for investments in solutions that prevent crime before it happens and defend criminal justice reforms wrongly blamed for increasing crime.

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The Path Forward: Ideas Worth Fighting For Feature
The U.S. Capitol is seen at sunrise.

The Path Forward: Ideas Worth Fighting For

The ideas in the Path Forward series present a roadmap for policymakers who want to offer a compelling alternative to populist authoritarianism by addressing people’s problems with bold ideas.

The Highest Rates of Gun Homicides Are in Rural Counties Fact Sheet
An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle is held in front of a U.S. flag.

The Highest Rates of Gun Homicides Are in Rural Counties

Despite media attention on gun violence in large American cities, new analysis of CDC data shows that rural counties persistently have some of the highest rates of gun violence in the country.

Chandler Hall

Hope After Harm: Reimagining Victim Compensation Past Event

Hope After Harm: Reimagining Victim Compensation

Join the Center for American Progress for an event discussing CAP and Common Justice’s partnered launch of the “State Victim Compensation Statute Rubric.”

Center for American Progress Online

Executive Summary: Hope After Harm Article
Police officers are seen behind a yellow line of caution tape on a street with cars parked on either side.

Executive Summary: Hope After Harm

A state-by-state analysis of victim compensation statutes reveals tremendous potential for states to better meet the needs of survivors of violence and to ultimately break cycles of harm.

Chandler Hall, Alice Hamblett

Resumen ejecutivo: Esperanza después del daño Artículo
Police officers are seen behind a yellow line of caution tape on a street with cars parked on either side.

Resumen ejecutivo: Esperanza después del daño

Un análisis estado por estado de las leyes de compensación para las víctimas revela un tremendo potencial para que los estados satisfagan mejor las necesidades de los sobrevivientes de la violencia y, en última instancia, rompan los ciclos de daño.

Chandler Hall, Alice Hamblett

8 Ways the Senate Budget Bill Is More Extreme Than the House-Passed Big, ‘Beautiful’ Bill Article
The U.S. Capitol Building seen at dusk.

8 Ways the Senate Budget Bill Is More Extreme Than the House-Passed Big, ‘Beautiful’ Bill

Many have assumed that the House of Representatives’ One Big, Beautiful Bill Act would be moderated by Senate counterparts. However, the Senate’s proposed cuts to health care and food assistance—along with the potential sell-off of public lands and changes to make it easier to buy guns—are more extreme.

Lily Roberts, Natasha Murphy, Kyle Ross, 2 More Drew McConville, Nick Wilson

COVID-19’s Impact on Gun Violence in America Report
A crowd of demonstrators is seen marching across the Brooklyn Bridge while the sun sets over the Manhattan skyline in the background.

COVID-19’s Impact on Gun Violence in America

Five years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, there are several theories surrounding why gun violence spiked in the United States during the pandemic’s first year.

Chandler Hall

Mexico’s Lawsuit To Hold U.S. Gun Manufacturers Accountable Will Affect Public Safety in Both Countries Article
The U.S.-Mexico border wall is seen stretching through sand dunes while the sun sets in the background.

Mexico’s Lawsuit To Hold U.S. Gun Manufacturers Accountable Will Affect Public Safety in Both Countries

The Supreme Court’s decision in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos will either hold U.S. gun manufacturers accountable for fueling gun violence in Mexico or empower an unchecked firearm industry to break the law without consequence.

Nick Wilson

Gun Violence Trends in US Cities During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic In the News

Gun Violence Trends in US Cities During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a research letter published in JAMA Network Open, Chandler Hall and Nick Wilson of the Center for American Progress, along with Alex R. Piquero, examine whether there was variation in gun violence trends in U.S. cities during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

JAMA Network Open

Chandler Hall, Nick Wilson, Alex R. Piquero

6 Ways Cities and Counties Can Reduce Gun Violence Report
A row of houses is seen from above in Northern Baltimore, Maryland.

6 Ways Cities and Counties Can Reduce Gun Violence

Cities and counties across the country are taking meaningful steps toward reducing gun violence by implementing a set of accountability and prevention strategies capable of healing communities while breaking cycles of violence.

Allison Jordan

10th National Gun Violence Prevention Summit (Online) Past Event

10th National Gun Violence Prevention Summit (Online)

Join CAP for a summit featuring speeches and discussions by leading advocates of the gun violence prevention movement.

Center for American Progress | In-Person & Online

10th National Gun Violence Prevention Summit Past Event

10th National Gun Violence Prevention Summit

Join CAP for a summit featuring speeches and discussions by leading advocates of the gun violence prevention movement.

Center for American Progress

CAP Joined by National Security and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates To Urge Congress To Protect Firearm Export Rule Article

CAP Joined by National Security and Gun Violence Prevention Advocates To Urge Congress To Protect Firearm Export Rule

The Center for American Progress, along with 34 organizations, authored a letter to Congress about protecting the Commerce Department’s firearm export rule, which will establish a new regulatory framework to protect U.S. national security interests.

Allison McManus, Nick Wilson, Laura Kilbury, 1 More Allison Jordan

In U.S. v. Rahimi, Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Domestic Violence Survivor Safety but Upholds Problematic Bruen Framework Article
Photo shows a Supreme Court building partly lit inside, against a dark blue sky

In U.S. v. Rahimi, Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Domestic Violence Survivor Safety but Upholds Problematic Bruen Framework

On June 21, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that a sensible and effective gun violence prevention law protecting domestic violence survivors remains constitutional; however, the fact that survivor safety was compromised because of the politicization of the judiciary—and could be again in the future—should not be forgotten.

Sabrina Talukder, Nick Wilson

The Impacts of U.S. Gun Violence in Black, Latino, and Indigenous Communities Town Hall Past Event

The Impacts of U.S. Gun Violence in Black, Latino, and Indigenous Communities Town Hall

Join the Center for American Progress for a town hall that provides a binational perspective on the gun violence prevention movement, highlighting the efforts of U.S.-based and Mexico-based leaders.

Center for American Progress

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Is Spearheading a Judicial Power Grab Report
A demonstrator holds a sign in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Is Spearheading a Judicial Power Grab

The rogue 5th Circuit Court has helped undermine the separation of powers, established precedent, and principled legal reasoning to accomplish right-wing policy goals; the Supreme Court continuing to follow suit would strip power away from elected representatives and American voters.

Jeevna Sheth, Devon Ombres

Film Screening: ‘Columbine 2024: 25 Years of Trauma’ Past Event

Film Screening: ‘Columbine 2024: 25 Years of Trauma’

A documentary film that follows two survivors of the Columbine Shooting Massacre, followed by a panel discussion with the film's director and survivors.

Center For American Progress | 1333 H St. NW Suite 100E Washington DC 20005

CAP Joined by Gun Violence Victim Advocates To Comment on OVC’s Proposed Rules on Victim Compensation Grant Program Article

CAP Joined by Gun Violence Victim Advocates To Comment on OVC’s Proposed Rules on Victim Compensation Grant Program

The Center for American Progress, along with 47 organizations, submitted a comment letter advocating on behalf of victims to the U.S. Office for Victims of Crime on the agency’s proposal to replace the existing Victim Compensation Grant Program guidelines and clarify program requirements.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall

Community Violence Intervention: Juan Carter and Giffords Center for Violence Intervention Video

Community Violence Intervention: Juan Carter and Giffords Center for Violence Intervention

Juan Carter, outreach manager for the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention, explains how community violence intervention (CVI) programs take a holistic approach to public safety by investing in the long-term health and well-being of individuals affected by violence.

Chandler Hall, Nick Wilson, Hai-Lam Phan, 3 More Ala Al Sadi, Toni Pandolfo, Matthew Gossage

Debunking the ‘Guns Make Us Safer’ Myth Report
Protesters attend a rally for Ralph Yarl in Kansas City, Missouri.

Debunking the ‘Guns Make Us Safer’ Myth

Despite arguments from the gun lobby and its allies, guns used for self-defense are not common, beneficial for society, or efficient in deterring mass shootings or criminal victimization.

Allison Jordan, Chandler Hall, Devin Hughes

Community Violence Intervention: Susan Lee and Chicago CRED Video

Community Violence Intervention: Susan Lee and Chicago CRED

Susan Lee, chief of strategy and policy at Chicago CRED, explains why gun violence is a modern-day civil rights issue and how community violence intervention (CVI) strategies must be part of any public safety strategy to address racial inequity and structural violence.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall, Hai-Lam Phan, 4 More Ala Al Sadi, Toni Pandolfo, Madalyn Reagan, Matthew Gossage

Community Violence Intervention: Denise Villamil and Southern California Crossroads Video

Community Violence Intervention: Denise Villamil and Southern California Crossroads

Denise Villamil, executive director of Southern California Crossroads, discusses how her own lived experience in a community with fewer opportunities has informed her holistic approach to community violence intervention.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall, Matthew Gossage, 4 More Hai-Lam Phan, Madalyn Reagan, Toni Pandolfo, Ala Al Sadi

9th Annual National Gun Violence Prevention Summit Past Event
Photo shows four people sitting on a stage, one holding a microphone, with an American flag in the background

9th Annual National Gun Violence Prevention Summit

Join CAP for a summit featuring speeches and discussions by leading advocates of the gun violence prevention movement.

Online

From the Front Lines: Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs Give Gun Violence Survivors Opportunities To Thrive Video

From the Front Lines: Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs Give Gun Violence Survivors Opportunities To Thrive

Chris Edge, a survivor-advocate from Washington, D.C., shares his story of triumph and why he credits a hospital-based violence intervention program with helping him become a leader in his community.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall, Hai-Lam Phan, 4 More Matthew Gossage, Ashley Joo, Ronnie Rivera, Ala Al Sadi

What Does Community Violence Intervention Mean? Hear From People on the Front Lines of Preventing Gun Violence Video

What Does Community Violence Intervention Mean? Hear From People on the Front Lines of Preventing Gun Violence

Community violence intervention workers from across the United States explain and reflect on their work in preventing violence in their communities.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall, Tymoni Correa-Buntley, 6 More Audrey Smith, Matthew Gossage, Ashley Joo, Hai-Lam Phan, Ronnie Rivera, Ala Al Sadi

How Supreme Court Cases on Gun Violence and Abortion Will Affect Women Article
Supreme Court

How Supreme Court Cases on Gun Violence and Abortion Will Affect Women

In the 2023 term, the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to hear two cases, one on gun violence and one on abortion access, that will directly and disproportionately affect women.

Sabrina Talukder

Disarm Hate: A Summary of Key Challenges and Solutions Fact Sheet
A man holds a sign that reads

Disarm Hate: A Summary of Key Challenges and Solutions

This fact sheet summarizes a recent Center for American Progress report on how the Disarm Hate Act can prevent hate-fueled gun violence in the United States.

Allison Jordan

The Disarm Hate Act Would Help Prevent Hate-Motivated Gun Violence Report
A mother and her daughter visit memorials for Jerrald De'Shaun Gallion, Angela Michelle Carr, and Anolt Joseph “AJ” Laguerre Jr.

The Disarm Hate Act Would Help Prevent Hate-Motivated Gun Violence

To respond to the United States’ rising tide of violent hate crimes and prevent them before they happen, Congress should pass the Disarm Hate Act into law.

Allison Jordan

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, 1 Year Later Report
President Joe Biden

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, 1 Year Later

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first major federal gun safety bill passed in nearly 30 years, has closed gun law loopholes and implemented new gun violence prevention policies, as well as made significant investments in school and community safety that are saving lives.

Nick Wilson, Chandler Hall, Allison Jordan

La súplica de una madre para detener el flujo de armas estadounidenses a México Video

La súplica de una madre para detener el flujo de armas estadounidenses a México

La activista de derechos humanos mexicana María Herrera Magdaleno discute el impacto devastador del flujo de armas estadounidenses hacia México, incluyendo la desaparición forzada de cuatro de sus hijos.

Nick Wilson, Andrew Sonntag, Rafael Medina, 4 More Gaby Blanco, Ala Al Sadi, Hai-Lam Phan, Julia Schroeder

A Place for Us: A Memoir, in Conversation With Brandon J. Wolf and Chasten Buttigieg Past Event
Cover art for

A Place for Us: A Memoir, in Conversation With Brandon J. Wolf and Chasten Buttigieg

Join Brandon J. Wolf, Chasten Buttigieg, and the Center for American Progress for an armchair conversation to discuss LGBTQI+ rights, gun violence prevention, and finding purpose and power through tragedy.

Center for American Progress

8 Ways To Reduce Gun Violence in Minnesota Report
A collection of confiscated guns is stored in the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office crime lab.

8 Ways To Reduce Gun Violence in Minnesota

In Minnesota, violent crime is increasingly fueled by firearms, as the state lacks foundational gun control laws that would improve public safety and save lives.

Allison Jordan

Community-Based Strategies To Reduce Gun Violence in Schools Article
Photo shows an empty basketball court facing a one-story white school, with a chainlink fence between the camera lens and the basketball court

Community-Based Strategies To Reduce Gun Violence in Schools

In addition to efforts from state and federal lawmakers, schools and communities have a critical role to play in addressing school gun violence through prevention and intervention approaches.

Allie Pearce, Akilah Alleyne

Delaware Lawmakers Can Reduce Gun Violence by Passing a Permit-to-Purchase Law Fact Sheet
Three individuals at gun control rally

Delaware Lawmakers Can Reduce Gun Violence by Passing a Permit-to-Purchase Law

Lawmakers have an opportunity to increase public safety and save lives by passing and effectively implementing a permit-to-purchase law, which requires an individual to obtain a license before purchasing a firearm.

Nick Wilson, Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Marissa Edmund, 1 More Traci Manza Murphy

How Policymakers Can Reduce Gun Violence in Michigan Report
Students hug each other after placing flowers honoring the lives of those killed during the Michigan State shooting.

How Policymakers Can Reduce Gun Violence in Michigan

This report highlights additional opportunities for Michigan policymakers to improve public safety through the enactment of popular and proven policies that many other states have successfully adopted to save lives.

Allison Jordan

Guns Without Borders Past Event

Guns Without Borders

Addressing the flow of U.S. firearms to Mexico and Central America

Online

School Shooting Survivor Mia Tretta Shares Message on Staying Focused Amid Endless Tragedies Video

School Shooting Survivor Mia Tretta Shares Message on Staying Focused Amid Endless Tragedies

Mia Tretta—a survivor of the Saugus High School shooting in Santa Clarita, California—speaks with the Center for American Progress about her experience and the need to maintain momentum following such gun violence tragedies.

Tymoni Correa-Buntley, Andrew Sonntag, Hai-Lam Phan

What To Read Before the State of the Union Article
U.S. President Joe Biden talks to reporters after returning to the White House.

What To Read Before the State of the Union

The economy; democracy and the courts; and community safety and gun violence are expected to be at center stage as President Biden prepares to address the nation during his second State of the Union address.

Kiera Manser, Rose Khattar, Ben Olinsky, 1 More Rachael Eisenberg

The Biden Administration’s First 2 Years: Stories of Americans Who Benefit From a Government Invested in Their Future Article

The Biden Administration’s First 2 Years: Stories of Americans Who Benefit From a Government Invested in Their Future

This collection features stories from Americans across the country whose lives and communities have benefited from the legislative and executive actions passed under the Biden administration.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

8th Annual National Gun Violence Prevention Summit Past Event

8th Annual National Gun Violence Prevention Summit

Addressing the largest challenges and opportunities facing the gun violence prevention movement

Location provided after registration.

Gun Violence Has a Devastating Impact on Hispanic Communities Fact Sheet
Photo shows a group of people standing in a circle and holding hands around a makeshift memorial.

Gun Violence Has a Devastating Impact on Hispanic Communities

Hispanic and Latino communities are disproportionately at risk from rising rates of gun violence, but elected officials in these communities have so far failed to act.

Allison Jordan

Weak Gun Laws Are Harmful to Women and Survivors of Domestic Violence Fact Sheet
Woman in close-up shielding candle flame with hand

Weak Gun Laws Are Harmful to Women and Survivors of Domestic Violence

States with weak gun violence prevention laws see significantly higher rates of female gun homicide, while states with strong guns laws have much lower rates.

Marissa Edmund

How To Make Schools Safer Without Additional Physical Security Measures Report
Photo shows several students walking in front of a colorful mural.

How To Make Schools Safer Without Additional Physical Security Measures

The newly enacted Bipartisan Safer Communities Act can help schools and districts create safer learning environments without resorting to implementing measures that harden schools.

Emily Katz, Roby Chatterji, Akilah Alleyne

Gun Violence in Rural America Fact Sheet
A man peers through the scope on his rifle in rural Texas.

Gun Violence in Rural America

While politicians and the media have largely focused their attention on gun violence in large cities, rural communities continue to see a rise in gun-related deaths.

David Correa, Nick Wilson

National Film Premiere: ‘Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote’ Past Event

National Film Premiere: ‘Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote’

Please join CAP's Reel Progress program and Brave New Films for a film screening of "Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote," followed by a discussion with a panel of esteemed experts.

Online only

Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings Fact Sheet
Photo shows wooden crosses displaying the victims' names in front of the Robb Elementary School sign.

Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings

The facts disprove the dangerous myths that the gun lobby routinely deploys following mass shootings in its attempts to undermine calls for commonsense gun reform.

Allison Jordan

Recommendations for Newly Confirmed ATF Director Steve Dettelbach Article

Recommendations for Newly Confirmed ATF Director Steve Dettelbach

This coalition letter, led by the Center for American Progress in partnership with gun violence prevention and allied organizations, includes a list of immediate actions the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives can take to reduce gun violence.

Nick Wilson, Allison Jordan

Hospital-Based Intervention Programs Reduce Violence and Save Money Article
A man and woman are pictured in a room at the Violence Advocacy Program offices at Boston Medical Center in Boston.

Hospital-Based Intervention Programs Reduce Violence and Save Money

Hospital-based community violence intervention programs combat cycles of violent crime and retaliation by engaging patients in the recovery process immediately following injury.

Karenna Warden

Continuing Efforts To Slow Violent Crime Report
Three high school students participate in an event for for Boston’s SuccessLink summer youth jobs program.

Continuing Efforts To Slow Violent Crime

Houston, Boston, and Newark have improved public safety through violence prevention efforts outside traditional law enforcement.

Rachael Eisenberg, Allie Preston

Media Coverage Often Ignore Guns as the Main Driver of the Recent Rise in Violent Crime Article
A TV camera is seen at a memorial for shooting victims.

Media Coverage Often Ignore Guns as the Main Driver of the Recent Rise in Violent Crime

The word “gun” or another synonymous variation was only included in 3.5 percent of headlines and summaries of online news posts that included the words “murders” or “homicides,” even though 80 percent of homicides are committed with a firearm, and gun homicides increased by 35 percent.

Will Ragland

Guns and Anti-Government Extremism in Nevada Report
An AR-15 pictured at in Boulder City, Nevada, on March 14, 2018.

Guns and Anti-Government Extremism in Nevada

The rise in white supremacist and anti-government violence is fueled by weak gun laws and easy access to firearms.

Marissa Edmund, Annette Magnus, Amber Falgout

Community-Based Violence Interruption Programs Can Reduce Gun Violence Article
Photo shows a group of five people hugging.

Community-Based Violence Interruption Programs Can Reduce Gun Violence

Violence interruption is a community-based intervention strategy that can reduce gun violence and improve public safety in neighborhoods around the country.

Jahdziah St. Julien

How Americans Can Fight Back Against a Radical Supreme Court Majority Article
The U.S. Supreme Court.

How Americans Can Fight Back Against a Radical Supreme Court Majority

Responding to the judicial overreach of a radical Supreme Court majority will require long-term structural reforms to the courts and immediate action to mitigate the harms caused by their wrongly decided decisions.

Ben Olinsky, Grace Oyenubi

Weak Gun Laws Are Hurting Police Officers Fact Sheet
Photo shows two standing police officers from behind.

Weak Gun Laws Are Hurting Police Officers

Gun violence against police officers is a major problem in the United States, but elected officials are still adopting counterproductive measures opposed by law enforcement agencies.

Nick Wilson, Eugenio Weigend Vargas

The United States Must Address Its Gun Trafficking Crisis Article
ATF agents are seen in shadows next to a pickup truck bed holding seized and purchased guns in Maryland.

The United States Must Address Its Gun Trafficking Crisis

Gun trafficking fuels crime and undermines state and local efforts to mitigate violence; the Biden administration has taken important steps that must be complemented by congressional and state-level policies.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Alex Barrio

Gun Violence Is Having a Devastating Impact on Young People Fact Sheet
People visit a memorial for the victims of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting.

Gun Violence Is Having a Devastating Impact on Young People

Children and teenagers are suffering from gun violence at disproportionate rates, all while some elected officials push for measures that would further endanger our young generations.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Allison Jordan

What Counties and Cities Can Do To Curb Gun Violence in Texas Report
Sheriff crime scene tape is seen outside of Robb Elementary School.

What Counties and Cities Can Do To Curb Gun Violence in Texas

While intransigent elected officials in Texas impede action at the state level, city and county officials can take meaningful steps to prevent gun violence that do not require legislative action.

Marissa Edmund, Alex Barrio, Nicole Golden

Frequently Asked Questions About Permitless Carry Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions About Permitless Carry

Permitless carry poses a danger to public safety by allowing individuals to carry concealed, loaded guns in public with no permit or training.

Allison Jordan

Smart Guns: Technology That Can Save Lives Article
Gun store owner demonstrates a smart gun.

Smart Guns: Technology That Can Save Lives

Developments in smart gun technology can prevent unintentional shootings by children, reduce gun theft, and reduce teen suicide.

Marissa Edmund

Gun Suicides Among Former and Current Military Members Report
A war veteran sets up flags on the National Mall.

Gun Suicides Among Former and Current Military Members

Rates of gun suicide are particularly high among former and current military members; there are steps that can be taken to address this challenge.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Marissa Edmund

The Impact of Gun Violence in Michigan Report
A crowd at a nighttime candlelight vigil

The Impact of Gun Violence in Michigan

Michigan has taken important steps to reduce gun violence, but state leaders should engage in additional actions to further address this public health crisis.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Lynna Kaucheck, Allison Jordan

Delaware Will Benefit From a Permit-to-Purchase Law Report
Customer purchases a black gun, passing his ID/driver's license over the glass counter.

Delaware Will Benefit From a Permit-to-Purchase Law

While Delaware has already passed important bills to prevent gun violence, the state could take a major step forward by passing a permit-to-purchase law—a measure requiring a license to purchase a handgun.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Marissa Edmund, Traci Manza Murphy

Guns and Violence Against Women Report
Relinquished guns are displayed on a table.

Guns and Violence Against Women

Gender-based violence in the United States is fueled by unmitigated access to firearms, a lack of services for survivors, and dangerous narratives spread by the gun lobby.

Marissa Edmund

Non-fatal gunshot injuries during criminal acts in Mexico, 2013–2019 In the News

Non-fatal gunshot injuries during criminal acts in Mexico, 2013–2019

Eugenio Weigend Vargas and Carlos Perez Ricart address the dearth of research around nonfatal gunshot injuries by providing data on and exploring the costs related to such injuries sustained during crimes in Mexico.

Injury Prevention

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Carlos Perez Ricart

Religious Organizations Are Integral to the Fight Against Gun Violence Report
Chaplain speaks after Harlem peace walk.

Religious Organizations Are Integral to the Fight Against Gun Violence

Religious organizations and people of faith across the country are working to heal their communities and prevent gun violence through support for broader reforms.

Maggie Siddiqi, Benjamin Fleisher

A New Lawsuit Illustrates the Problem of U.S. Guns in Mexico Article
Bullet casings are seen on the ground at the crime scene after Mexico City's Public Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch was wounded in an attack in Mexico City, June 26, 2020. (Getty/Pedro Pardo/AFP)

A New Lawsuit Illustrates the Problem of U.S. Guns in Mexico

Mexico’s lawsuit against major U.S. arms manufacturers and distributors is a reminder of the fact that America’s gun violence epidemic extends well beyond its own borders.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Joel Martinez

Concealed Carry Is Linked to Increased Gun Violence in Wisconsin Report
A revolver on display during a National Rifle Association convention in Milwaukee, May 2006. (Getty/Jeff Haynes/AFP)

Concealed Carry Is Linked to Increased Gun Violence in Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s 2011 concealed carry law has been linked to higher levels of gun violence in the state—and policymakers must take action to correct the problem.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Jeri Bonavia

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Trafficking Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Trafficking

U.S. firearms are trafficked with alarming frequency, increasing violence in the United States and across international borders.

Frequently Asked Questions About Firearm Safe Storage Fact Sheet
A handgun is seen in its case at a gun shop in Delray Beach, Florida, January 2016. (Getty/Joe Raedle)

Frequently Asked Questions About Firearm Safe Storage

Safe storage practices can help to keep children safe, deter gun theft, and avoid preventable gun-related deaths and injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Industry Immunity Fact Sheet
The National Rifle Association (NRA) holds its annual meeting and convention in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 21, 2016. (Getty/NurPhoto/Zach D Roberts)

Frequently Asked Questions About Gun Industry Immunity

The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act prevents the gun industry from being held accountable for harm caused and disincentivizes the industry from ensuring consumer safety.

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence and Firearms Fact Sheet
Demonstrators on Capitol Hill hold up placards representing the number of the people who have died due to gun violence, Washington, D.C., June 2019 (Getty/AFP/Jim Watson)

Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence and Firearms

Serious gaps in federal law allow loopholes for some domestic violence abusers to access firearms, intensifying harm in moments that are already dangerous for survivors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Guns Fact Sheet
(Ghost guns that were secured by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department are on display during a press conference held by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) in Washington, D.C., February 2020.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Guns

Homemade firearms that can be procured without a background check and do not have serial numbers, known as ghost guns, pose unique risks to community safety.

5 Discussions That Shaped the Justice Reform Movement in 2020 Article
A protester wearing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt stands at a memorial event in Jefferson Square Park in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13, 2021, to mark the one-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death. (Getty/Jeremy Hogan)

5 Discussions That Shaped the Justice Reform Movement in 2020

While more must be done to shrink the footprint of the U.S. criminal justice system, the national dialogue around reform during summer 2020 has inspired transformative ideas and tangible policies that can be built on moving forward.

Kenny Lo, Sarah Figgatt, Betsy Pearl, 1 More Chelsea Parsons

Gun Violence Prevention Policy FAQs Article
Guns are held in storage at the Department of Forensic Sciences in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2019. (Getty/Bill O'Leary)

Gun Violence Prevention Policy FAQs

In this fact sheet series, the Center for American Progress will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about key policy issues related to gun violence prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ‘Charleston Loophole’ Fact Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions About the ‘Charleston Loophole’

A dangerous gap in federal law allows gun dealers to proceed with a sale before a background check has been completed—enabling people who are otherwise prohibited from gun possession to continue to buy guns.

6 Policies To Reduce Gun Violence in Nevada Report

6 Policies To Reduce Gun Violence in Nevada

While Nevada has taken steps to strengthen gun laws in recent years, much more must be done to protect Nevada communities from gun violence.

Chelsea Parsons, Annette Magnus

No Shots Fired Report
Weapons seen on display at a gun shop in Virginia. (Getty/Yasin Ozturk)

No Shots Fired

A new CAP analysis finds that robberies and aggravated assaults in which a gun is not fired but is used as a threat occur frequently and have significant impacts on victims in the United States.

Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Rukmani Bhatia

Rethinking ATF’s Budget To Prioritize Effective Gun Violence Prevention Report

Rethinking ATF’s Budget To Prioritize Effective Gun Violence Prevention

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives should overhaul its current spending priorities to better reflect the agency’s unique value-add to gun violence prevention efforts.

Chelsea Parsons, Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Rukmani Bhatia

Untangling the Gun Lobby’s Web of Self-Defense and Human Rights Report

Untangling the Gun Lobby’s Web of Self-Defense and Human Rights

The gun lobby has manipulated the human rights framework to the detriment to public safety, violating fundamental human rights within the United States.

Rukmani Bhatia

Ensuring Domestic Violence Survivors’ Safety Report

Ensuring Domestic Violence Survivors’ Safety

Existing support systems for domestic violence survivors are proving inadequate during the pandemic and point to the need for a stronger nationwide infrastructure connecting survivors to vital supports and services.

Robin Bleiweis, Osub Ahmed

The Gun Industry in America Report
Weapons are on display at a gun shop in Virginia, as gun and ammunition sales in the United States have skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Getty/Yasin Ozturk)

The Gun Industry in America

The national debate over gun violence rarely focuses attention on the role of the gun industry in enabling this public health crisis.

Chelsea Parsons, Eugenio Weigend Vargas, Rukmani Bhatia

Dangerous Gaps in Gun Laws Exposed by the Coronavirus Gun Sale Surge Report
(Shoppers wait in line outside of a Gun World store.)

Dangerous Gaps in Gun Laws Exposed by the Coronavirus Gun Sale Surge

The coronavirus crisis has led to a dangerous surge in gun sales, which has given new urgency to addressing the gaps in federal and state gun laws that allow unregulated access to firearms.

Chelsea Parsons, Rukmani Bhatia

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