The Trace
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We’re a nonprofit newsroom investigating gun violence in America.
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One year into the Trump administration, The Trace spoke with several public health scholars about the research landscape they're facing — and why it's unlike any other before it.
Read more: thetr.ac/7ZR7F
Read more: thetr.ac/7ZR7F
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 PM
One year into the Trump administration, The Trace spoke with several public health scholars about the research landscape they're facing — and why it's unlike any other before it.
Read more: thetr.ac/7ZR7F
Read more: thetr.ac/7ZR7F
The gun industry is exempt from all federal consumer-product safety regulation. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The gun industry is exempt from all federal consumer-product safety regulation. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
In January, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey was sentenced to 20 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge.
The punishment is rare — especially in the Midwest, where police often face little to no consequences for fatally shooting unarmed civilians.
The punishment is rare — especially in the Midwest, where police often face little to no consequences for fatally shooting unarmed civilians.
Cops Who Shoot Civilians Are Rarely Punished. But One Verdict in Illinois Stands Out.
Some hope the sentencing of Sean Grayson, who shot and killed Sonya Massey in 2024, might signal a shift.
www.thetrace.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:22 PM
In January, the former Illinois sheriff’s deputy who killed Sonya Massey was sentenced to 20 years in prison on a second-degree murder charge.
The punishment is rare — especially in the Midwest, where police often face little to no consequences for fatally shooting unarmed civilians.
The punishment is rare — especially in the Midwest, where police often face little to no consequences for fatally shooting unarmed civilians.
Paul Birdsong patrols Philly with a semiautomatic shotgun and two semiautomatic handguns. “Anybody who means harm to the Black man, woman, or child, we mean harm to them,” said Birdsong, who chairs the newly formed Black Lion Party, a group inspired by the Black Panthers.
Read more: thetr.ac/BNNtS
Read more: thetr.ac/BNNtS
February 11, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Paul Birdsong patrols Philly with a semiautomatic shotgun and two semiautomatic handguns. “Anybody who means harm to the Black man, woman, or child, we mean harm to them,” said Birdsong, who chairs the newly formed Black Lion Party, a group inspired by the Black Panthers.
Read more: thetr.ac/BNNtS
Read more: thetr.ac/BNNtS
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. thetr.ac/fACj9
February 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. thetr.ac/fACj9
U.S.-made guns fuel violence across the globe. But the U.S.’s innovation in community-based and public health-focused violence prevention hasn’t spread the same way. A coalition launched a campaign to change that, asking the World Health Organization to address gun violence.
Bulletin: Coalition Asks WHO to Take Gun Violence Prevention Worldwide
Action on gun violence would mark a significant shift for the World Health Organization.
www.thetrace.org
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
U.S.-made guns fuel violence across the globe. But the U.S.’s innovation in community-based and public health-focused violence prevention hasn’t spread the same way. A coalition launched a campaign to change that, asking the World Health Organization to address gun violence.
Armed safety patrols were a hallmark of the Black Panthers, the group founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in the 1960s. The Black Lions intend to pick up where the Panthers left off — but if history is a guide, they’ll have to ready themselves for more pushback than they’ve faced so far.
Inspired by the Black Panthers, Armed Citizen Patrols Have Returned to Philadelphia
An organization calling itself the Black Lion Party says it intends to protect the public from immigration agents, the police, and criminals.
www.thetrace.org
February 11, 2026 at 1:17 AM
Armed safety patrols were a hallmark of the Black Panthers, the group founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in the 1960s. The Black Lions intend to pick up where the Panthers left off — but if history is a guide, they’ll have to ready themselves for more pushback than they’ve faced so far.
🧵 In many industries, manufacturers must design and build their products to federally mandated safety standards before sending them into the marketplace. That's not the case for the gun industry. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 11:15 PM
🧵 In many industries, manufacturers must design and build their products to federally mandated safety standards before sending them into the marketplace. That's not the case for the gun industry. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
Even as the federal government withdrew support, gun violence continued to drop significantly in 2025. Now comes the hard part.
Join us February 18 for an event that will leave you with fresh insights about solutions to gun violence, and new ideas about building a safer future.
thetr.ac/hO8b4
Join us February 18 for an event that will leave you with fresh insights about solutions to gun violence, and new ideas about building a safer future.
thetr.ac/hO8b4
Gun Homicides Have Plummeted. What Comes Next? – The Trace Events
After three years of dramatic declines, how much lower can shootings go? During this special virtual event, you’ll learn more about the strategies helping to propel recent gains, and hear expert…
thetr.ac
February 10, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Even as the federal government withdrew support, gun violence continued to drop significantly in 2025. Now comes the hard part.
Join us February 18 for an event that will leave you with fresh insights about solutions to gun violence, and new ideas about building a safer future.
thetr.ac/hO8b4
Join us February 18 for an event that will leave you with fresh insights about solutions to gun violence, and new ideas about building a safer future.
thetr.ac/hO8b4
Reposted by The Trace
Fascinating look at the Black Lion Party, who are conducting daily armed patrols and ruffling a lot of feathers around Philadelphia www.thetrace.org/2026/02/phil...
Inspired by the Black Panthers, Armed Citizen Patrols Have Returned to Philadelphia
An organization calling itself the Black Lion Party says it intends to protect the public from immigration agents, the police, and criminals.
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Fascinating look at the Black Lion Party, who are conducting daily armed patrols and ruffling a lot of feathers around Philadelphia www.thetrace.org/2026/02/phil...
The Trace spoke with several public health scholars about the research landscape they're facing under Trump — and why it's unlike any other before it.
Gun Violence Researchers Braced for Trump’s Attacks. A Year Later, They're Still Tallying the Damage.
The defining quality of being a gun violence researcher — other than measuring harm — may be constantly fighting for public health funding. This has been true for decades. But, one year into the…
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The Trace spoke with several public health scholars about the research landscape they're facing under Trump — and why it's unlike any other before it.
Reposted by The Trace
"SIG has frequently cut corners in ways that affect quality, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of parts used to build millions of guns and hundreds of thousands of P320s" www.thetrace.org/2026/02/sig-...
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 8:55 PM
"SIG has frequently cut corners in ways that affect quality, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of parts used to build millions of guns and hundreds of thousands of P320s" www.thetrace.org/2026/02/sig-...
An organization calling itself the Black Lion Party says it intends to protect Philadelphians from immigration agents, the police, and criminals.
Inspired by the Black Panthers, Armed Citizen Patrols Have Returned to Philadelphia
An organization calling itself the Black Lion Party says it intends to protect the public from immigration agents, the police, and criminals.
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:07 PM
An organization calling itself the Black Lion Party says it intends to protect Philadelphians from immigration agents, the police, and criminals.
While many gunmakers have faced allegations of defect-related shootings, SIG Sauer has been the subject of far more than others in the past decade. The company has denied that its flagship pistol can fire without a trigger pull.
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:17 AM
While many gunmakers have faced allegations of defect-related shootings, SIG Sauer has been the subject of far more than others in the past decade. The company has denied that its flagship pistol can fire without a trigger pull.
After one year under the Trump administration, The Trace asked gun violence researchers about how the political climate and funding cuts have affected their field. They said it's a uniquely dire time for public health.
Gun Violence Researchers Braced for Trump’s Attacks. A Year Later, They're Still Tallying the Damage.
The defining quality of being a gun violence researcher — other than measuring harm — may be constantly fighting for public health funding. This has been true for decades. But, one year into the…
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 9:11 PM
After one year under the Trump administration, The Trace asked gun violence researchers about how the political climate and funding cuts have affected their field. They said it's a uniquely dire time for public health.
The Trace and Harvard’s Shorenstein Center explain how to navigate crime data, and how to use the Data Hub.
Tips for Navigating Gun Violence Stats
The Trace and Harvard’s Shorenstein Center explain how to navigate crime data, and how to use the Data Hub.
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:15 PM
The Trace and Harvard’s Shorenstein Center explain how to navigate crime data, and how to use the Data Hub.
Ron Cohen transformed SIG Sauer into America’s top pistol manufacturer. But while business grew under his tenure, so did claims of shoddy manufacturing — and scores of lawsuits against the company for alleged safety issues. SIG has denied the allegations. thetr.ac/fACj9
February 9, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Ron Cohen transformed SIG Sauer into America’s top pistol manufacturer. But while business grew under his tenure, so did claims of shoddy manufacturing — and scores of lawsuits against the company for alleged safety issues. SIG has denied the allegations. thetr.ac/fACj9
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. Investigation with @bloomberg.com:
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:42 PM
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. Investigation with @bloomberg.com:
"What is happening now, in other words, is a reminder that the argument about government tyranny was always a canard. Beneath it lurked what was really at stake, which was the right to assert control through force."
The Violent Reckoning the Gun Rights Movement Long Wanted Is Playing Out in Minneapolis
The 2A crowd warned about tyranny and “jack-booted government thugs,” while also building a shadow army amped up on the idea of crushing domestic opponents. After a decade on the beat, The Trace's…
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:17 AM
"What is happening now, in other words, is a reminder that the argument about government tyranny was always a canard. Beneath it lurked what was really at stake, which was the right to assert control through force."
Trump cut over $1 billion in grants for gun violence prevention, research, and other public safety programs.
Researchers are looking to states and private funders to help insulate the field from federal volatility. But will it be enough to sustain work that was already underfunded? thetr.ac/4wYGQ
Researchers are looking to states and private funders to help insulate the field from federal volatility. But will it be enough to sustain work that was already underfunded? thetr.ac/4wYGQ
February 8, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Trump cut over $1 billion in grants for gun violence prevention, research, and other public safety programs.
Researchers are looking to states and private funders to help insulate the field from federal volatility. But will it be enough to sustain work that was already underfunded? thetr.ac/4wYGQ
Researchers are looking to states and private funders to help insulate the field from federal volatility. But will it be enough to sustain work that was already underfunded? thetr.ac/4wYGQ
Get the latest on gun policy, research, and violence prevention — from the hyperlocal to the national level — and new stories from The Trace delivered straight to your inbox.
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By signing up, you'll receive news on gun policy, research, and violence prevention — from the hyperlocal to the national level.
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February 8, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Get the latest on gun policy, research, and violence prevention — from the hyperlocal to the national level — and new stories from The Trace delivered straight to your inbox.
In 2025, shootings in Philly declined a record-breaking 24.5 percent. That trend is continuing. Through January 25, there were fewer homicides than at the same time last year.
Officials and residents say collaboration with police and grassroots groups could keep this momentum going. thetr.ac/ko0vH
Officials and residents say collaboration with police and grassroots groups could keep this momentum going. thetr.ac/ko0vH
February 8, 2026 at 1:17 AM
In 2025, shootings in Philly declined a record-breaking 24.5 percent. That trend is continuing. Through January 25, there were fewer homicides than at the same time last year.
Officials and residents say collaboration with police and grassroots groups could keep this momentum going. thetr.ac/ko0vH
Officials and residents say collaboration with police and grassroots groups could keep this momentum going. thetr.ac/ko0vH
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration agents sparked outrage across the country. Even more discourse ensued when videos of the shootings circulated the internet.
This exposure to violence can traumatize anyone and it can have devastating effects for youth: thetr.ac/LWG2e
This exposure to violence can traumatize anyone and it can have devastating effects for youth: thetr.ac/LWG2e
February 7, 2026 at 9:11 PM
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by immigration agents sparked outrage across the country. Even more discourse ensued when videos of the shootings circulated the internet.
This exposure to violence can traumatize anyone and it can have devastating effects for youth: thetr.ac/LWG2e
This exposure to violence can traumatize anyone and it can have devastating effects for youth: thetr.ac/LWG2e
No federal agency has withered under Trump’s second term quite like the ATF.
A Year of Trump Has Stretched the ATF to Its Limits
Budget cuts, a reallocation of resources to ICE, and rudderless leadership. The president has quickly upended the nation's top gun regulator.
www.thetrace.org
February 7, 2026 at 4:46 PM
No federal agency has withered under Trump’s second term quite like the ATF.
The 2A crowd warned about tyranny and “jack-booted government thugs,” while also building a shadow army amped up on the idea of crushing domestic opponents. After a decade on the beat, @mikespies.bsky.social analyzes how we got here.
Published with @motherjones.com:
Published with @motherjones.com:
The Violent Reckoning the Gun Rights Movement Long Wanted Is Playing Out in Minneapolis
The 2A crowd warned about tyranny and “jack-booted government thugs,” while also building a shadow army amped up on the idea of crushing domestic opponents. After a decade on the beat, The Trace's…
www.thetrace.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The 2A crowd warned about tyranny and “jack-booted government thugs,” while also building a shadow army amped up on the idea of crushing domestic opponents. After a decade on the beat, @mikespies.bsky.social analyzes how we got here.
Published with @motherjones.com:
Published with @motherjones.com: