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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

President Donald Trump, followed by Vice President Mike Pence, approaches the podium in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on August 5th, 2019, in Washington, D.C. Trump delivered remarks on the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend.

After a Weekend of Deadly Shootings, Republicans Offer Renewed Support for Red Flag Laws

Seventeen states and Washington, D.C., already have such legislation, also known as extreme risk protection order laws, in place.

Kelley Czajka

Gun-reform advocates line Pennsylvania Avenue while attending the March for Our Lives rally on March 24th, 2018, in Washington, D.C.

Social Justice

As the Republican Senate Blocks Reform, States Pass Their Own Gun-Control Laws

Since their governors' offices flipped to Democrat, New Mexico and Nevada have paved the way on gun reform.

Brianna Provenzano

Senator Cory Booker greets supporters as he arrives to speak during a campaign event on April 13th, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey.

News in Brief

Cory Booker’s Gun Control Plan: An Essential Reading List

Booker's proposal includes a gun licensing program, an assault weapons ban, and more support for victims and communities of gun violence.

Leah Dunlevy

The National Rifle Association booth at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2018.

News in Brief

The NRA’s Losing Case Against Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act

Extreme risk protection orders have worked at the state level.

Jared Keller

Semi-automatic rifles are seen for sale in a gun shop in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 4th, 2017.

News in Brief

The Most Effective Gun-Control Laws Target Who Buys Guns—Not Which Guns They Buy

New research finds several state-level statutes are linked to homicide rates, including universal background checks.

Tom Jacobs

Wendy Behrend, a school crossing guard who was on duty when a shooter opened fire in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, pays her respects at a memorial one year after the shooting.

News in Brief

Can Congress Pass a Law Disarming People in Crisis?

The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday held a hearing about extreme risk protection orders, which are supposed to prevent pre-planned mass violence and firearm suicides.

Francie Diep

Then-Representative, now Governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks at the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Social Justice

What Happens If Sheriffs Refuse to Enforce State Gun-Control Laws?

Second Amendment sanctuary counties are coming to liberal states, like New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.

Brianna Provenzano

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

In March of 2018, one month after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, students from Washington-area schools gathered during a rally at the United States Capitol to urge Congress to take action against gun violence. In early 2019, members of the 116th Congress have sponsored a relatively unprecedented number of gun-control bills.

Social Justice

The 116th Congress Is Refocused on Gun Control in the Wake of Parkland

A Pacific Standard analysis reveals the only other time a new Congress has introduced so many gun-control bills was in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting.

Francie Diep