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Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) lights a candle during a vigil for the victims of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, in Grand Army Plaza on August 5th, 2019, in Brooklyn. Lawmakers and local advocates called on Congress to enact gun control legislation and encouraged citizens to vote for politicians who would support those measures.

News in Brief

This Congress Has Made More Progress on Early Gun Bills Than Any Other in the Last 10 Years

In the wake of a week of racist, terroristic mass shootings, here's a look at the status of the new firearms bills introduced at the beginning of the year.

Francie Diep

Gabby Giffords speaks in support of gun background checks.

Social Justice

There’s an Anti-Immigrant Amendment Tucked Into the Dems’ Gun-Control Bill

Twenty-six Democrats in the House joined Republicans to pass a provision requiring that vendors notify ICE when background checks reveal gun applicants to be undocumented.

Massoud Hayoun

Viewfinder: Nancy Pelosi Introduces Legislation to Expand Background Checks for Gun Sales

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a press conference with former Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords and Representative Mike Thompson (D-California) to introduce legislation expanding background checks for gun sales at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 8th, 2019.

Pacific Standard Staff

Federal Bureau of Investigation staff arrive at the home of suspected nightclub shooter Ian David Long on November 8th, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, California.

California Has Some of the Country’s Strictest Gun-Control Laws. How Could a Mass Shooting Happen There?

A quick look at the regulations and numbers doesn't necessarily suggest the state's laws are useless.

Francie Diep

Gun enthusiasts visit a gun show where thousands of different weapons are displayed for sale on July 10th, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas.

News in Brief

There’s a Good Chance Congress Includes Background Check Legislation in Its Funding Bill

Congressional leaders intend to include a bipartisan measure called Fix National Instant Criminal Background System, which addresses the thoroughness of gun-purchase background checks by encouraging state use of criminal databases.

Candace Butera

News in Brief

The Three Federal Laws That Could Eliminate Gun Deaths in the U.S.

A new study shows just how easily lawmakers could abate our national gun crisis.

Jared Keller

News in Brief

How Much Will President Obama’s Gun Moves Affect Gun Violence?

Will simply explaining current law more clearly help save lives?

Lois Beckett

News in Brief

Is There Science to Back Obama’s Gun-Law Proposals?

For the most part, yes.

Francie Diep

News in Brief

A Push to Restart CDC Funding for Gun Violence Research

New legislation would increase CDC funding for gun violence research from zero dollars to $10 million. The NRA calls the push “unethical” and an “abuse of taxpayer funds.”

Lois Beckett

News in Brief

Meet the Doctor Who Gave $1 Million of His Own Money to Keep His Gun Research Going

Since Congress pressured the CDC to stop funding research on gun violence, Dr. Garen Wintemute has donated more than $1.1 million of his own money to keep his research going.

Lois Beckett