Daniel Webster
@daniel-webster.bsky.social
Gun violence researcher & professor @ Johns Hopkins | baseball nerd and Orioles & Nationals fan | dog lover
Reposted by Daniel Webster
“What we should be calling for is for our elected officials to use the tools that we know work to render these drills obsolete…. The burdens we are putting on our schools & our kids to prepare for the potential of this kind of violence is, frankly, unacceptable.” — @sonalirajan.bsky.social 🛟
The discourse on active shooter drills, particularly in K-12 schools, is complex. Thank you to Time for this piece, for referencing our recent NASEM consensus study findings, and for including myself and many of my wonderful colleagues in this reporting:
time.com/7331491/less...
time.com/7331491/less...
How to Make Active Shooter Drills Less Traumatizing
Research shows there are best practices for how to prepare students for active shooters in schools.
time.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“What we should be calling for is for our elected officials to use the tools that we know work to render these drills obsolete…. The burdens we are putting on our schools & our kids to prepare for the potential of this kind of violence is, frankly, unacceptable.” — @sonalirajan.bsky.social 🛟
Reposted by Daniel Webster
The discourse on active shooter drills, particularly in K-12 schools, is complex. Thank you to Time for this piece, for referencing our recent NASEM consensus study findings, and for including myself and many of my wonderful colleagues in this reporting:
time.com/7331491/less...
time.com/7331491/less...
How to Make Active Shooter Drills Less Traumatizing
Research shows there are best practices for how to prepare students for active shooters in schools.
time.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The discourse on active shooter drills, particularly in K-12 schools, is complex. Thank you to Time for this piece, for referencing our recent NASEM consensus study findings, and for including myself and many of my wonderful colleagues in this reporting:
time.com/7331491/less...
time.com/7331491/less...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Nice piece from NPR on our new paper from a JAMA Summit on firearm violence and injury prevention. There are clear political headwinds now, but my esteemed colleagues & I feel that it is especially important to set out a vision for substantial reductions in gun violence.
Nice piece from NPR on our new paper from a JAMA Summit on firearm violence and injury prevention. There are clear political headwinds now, but my esteemed colleagues & I feel that it is especially important to set out a vision for substantial reductions in gun violence.
A gun violence 'action plan' calls for a new emphasis on prevention
Dozens of leaders in medicine, criminal justice and more issued an urgent call for collective action to tackle the gun violence crisis in the U.S.
www.npr.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Nice piece from NPR on our new paper from a JAMA Summit on firearm violence and injury prevention. There are clear political headwinds now, but my esteemed colleagues & I feel that it is especially important to set out a vision for substantial reductions in gun violence.
Nice piece from NPR on our new paper from a JAMA Summit on firearm violence and injury prevention. There are clear political headwinds now, but my esteemed colleagues & I feel that it is especially important to set out a vision for substantial reductions in gun violence.
I’m thrilled to contribute to this effort to think big and longterm about a path to substantial reductions in gun violence, suicides, and injuries in the US. Solutions depend not only on good data and science as a guide, but on political and social change for a whole govt and society approach.
New @jama.com report, “Toward a Safer World by 2040: The JAMA Summit Report on Reducing Firearm Violence and Harms,” co-authored by @daniel-webster.bsky.social & @drcrifasi.bsky.social is now available! A safer country will require long-term investments in solutions that center those most affected.
A Roadmap to a Safer Future: JAMA Summit Charts Bold Path to Reduce Firearm Harms by 2040 | Center for Gun Violence Solutions
The JAMA report concludes that a safer nation will require long-term investments in solutions that center the people and communities most affected by firearm violence.
publichealth.jhu.edu
November 3, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I’m thrilled to contribute to this effort to think big and longterm about a path to substantial reductions in gun violence, suicides, and injuries in the US. Solutions depend not only on good data and science as a guide, but on political and social change for a whole govt and society approach.
Reposted by Daniel Webster
When it comes to murdering fishermen on the high seas, Donald is lawless and careless, but when it comes to finding excuses not to feed Americans, he's a precise bureaucrat, obsessed with following the law.
October 31, 2025 at 11:23 PM
When it comes to murdering fishermen on the high seas, Donald is lawless and careless, but when it comes to finding excuses not to feed Americans, he's a precise bureaucrat, obsessed with following the law.
Blue Jays manager and coaches have kept them from winning this game. Schneider had no chance to be safe at home running against one of the best OF arms he was out by 15 feet. Guerrero would have hit with runners on 3rd and 2nd. Hard to watch.
October 28, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Blue Jays manager and coaches have kept them from winning this game. Schneider had no chance to be safe at home running against one of the best OF arms he was out by 15 feet. Guerrero would have hit with runners on 3rd and 2nd. Hard to watch.
Reposted by Daniel Webster
It's not all gloomy!. We write about vibrant nonprofit news outlets --both the now big and established ones like @kffhealthnews.org and @propublica.org to excellent small ones popping up and doing great work in smaller communities -- and giving voice to communities that are not always heard
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
It's not all gloomy!. We write about vibrant nonprofit news outlets --both the now big and established ones like @kffhealthnews.org and @propublica.org to excellent small ones popping up and doing great work in smaller communities -- and giving voice to communities that are not always heard
Reposted by Daniel Webster
I haven't been all that active on this site - but maybe publishing a new book is a good time to change that. with @drjoshs.bsky.social and l. Morales. We write about the intertwined crisis of the decline of the US news industry -- and the rise of misinformation and mistrust of public health. I
October 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I haven't been all that active on this site - but maybe publishing a new book is a good time to change that. with @drjoshs.bsky.social and l. Morales. We write about the intertwined crisis of the decline of the US news industry -- and the rise of misinformation and mistrust of public health. I
Reposted by Daniel Webster
Just for the record, in 2020:
- Wray was the FBI director Trump handpicked to replace Comey
- Jack Smith was in the Hague prosecuting Kosovo war crimes
- Garland was an appeals court judge
- Monaco was in private practice in LA
There was no Biden administration yet, crooked or otherwise.
He crazy.
- Wray was the FBI director Trump handpicked to replace Comey
- Jack Smith was in the Hague prosecuting Kosovo war crimes
- Garland was an appeals court judge
- Monaco was in private practice in LA
There was no Biden administration yet, crooked or otherwise.
He crazy.
October 25, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Just for the record, in 2020:
- Wray was the FBI director Trump handpicked to replace Comey
- Jack Smith was in the Hague prosecuting Kosovo war crimes
- Garland was an appeals court judge
- Monaco was in private practice in LA
There was no Biden administration yet, crooked or otherwise.
He crazy.
- Wray was the FBI director Trump handpicked to replace Comey
- Jack Smith was in the Hague prosecuting Kosovo war crimes
- Garland was an appeals court judge
- Monaco was in private practice in LA
There was no Biden administration yet, crooked or otherwise.
He crazy.
Reposted by Daniel Webster
This headline 🤣🤣🤣
October 9, 2025 at 3:46 AM
This headline 🤣🤣🤣
Trump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plans
This feels ominous. Trump seems to be setting the table to use the U.S. military against American foes. Military leaders will be selected based on their allegiance to Trump and his clan rather than the Constitution.
This feels ominous. Trump seems to be setting the table to use the U.S. military against American foes. Military leaders will be selected based on their allegiance to Trump and his clan rather than the Constitution.
September 28, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Trump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plans
This feels ominous. Trump seems to be setting the table to use the U.S. military against American foes. Military leaders will be selected based on their allegiance to Trump and his clan rather than the Constitution.
This feels ominous. Trump seems to be setting the table to use the U.S. military against American foes. Military leaders will be selected based on their allegiance to Trump and his clan rather than the Constitution.
The crime reductions are not 1-year blips and seem to signal a clear shift towards less crime and violence since 2022.
It's not just murder. The US is on track to have the largest one-year percent drops in reported murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft this year based on data through July.
September 18, 2025 at 3:07 AM
The crime reductions are not 1-year blips and seem to signal a clear shift towards less crime and violence since 2022.
Much to celebrate with huge reductions in all forms of crime. How ironic that under this set of factual conditions Trump and the GOP justify use of the military, masked federal law enforcement gangs and unconstitutional practices to control what they claim is unbearable levels of crime.
It's not just murder. The US is on track to have the largest one-year percent drops in reported murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and auto theft this year based on data through July.
September 18, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Much to celebrate with huge reductions in all forms of crime. How ironic that under this set of factual conditions Trump and the GOP justify use of the military, masked federal law enforcement gangs and unconstitutional practices to control what they claim is unbearable levels of crime.
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect had criticized activist, officials say
Interesting headline that fits the narrative that political enemies were behind Kirk’s murder. But he is a 22 year-old white Mormon, son to a sheriff, gun enthusiast since he was a boy, no political affiliation or voting record.
Interesting headline that fits the narrative that political enemies were behind Kirk’s murder. But he is a 22 year-old white Mormon, son to a sheriff, gun enthusiast since he was a boy, no political affiliation or voting record.
September 12, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Charlie Kirk shooting suspect had criticized activist, officials say
Interesting headline that fits the narrative that political enemies were behind Kirk’s murder. But he is a 22 year-old white Mormon, son to a sheriff, gun enthusiast since he was a boy, no political affiliation or voting record.
Interesting headline that fits the narrative that political enemies were behind Kirk’s murder. But he is a 22 year-old white Mormon, son to a sheriff, gun enthusiast since he was a boy, no political affiliation or voting record.
Reposted by Daniel Webster
Gun owners, lock up your guns.
I can’t help but wonder about the thousands of guns lost and stolen from licensed gun dealers. How many were sold off the books? How many were stolen by employees who aren’t required to be vetted? It’s signals poor regulation and oversight.
I can’t help but wonder about the thousands of guns lost and stolen from licensed gun dealers. How many were sold off the books? How many were stolen by employees who aren’t required to be vetted? It’s signals poor regulation and oversight.
Per a recent ATF report, in 2023 there were 208,184 firearms lost/stolen:
- 188,560 from private citizens
- 9,479 lost by gun dealers
- 5,755 stolen from gun dealers
- 4,390 lost/stolen in shipping
More than 1M between 2019-2023
- 188,560 from private citizens
- 9,479 lost by gun dealers
- 5,755 stolen from gun dealers
- 4,390 lost/stolen in shipping
More than 1M between 2019-2023
August 29, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Gun owners, lock up your guns.
I can’t help but wonder about the thousands of guns lost and stolen from licensed gun dealers. How many were sold off the books? How many were stolen by employees who aren’t required to be vetted? It’s signals poor regulation and oversight.
I can’t help but wonder about the thousands of guns lost and stolen from licensed gun dealers. How many were sold off the books? How many were stolen by employees who aren’t required to be vetted? It’s signals poor regulation and oversight.
Yes, Blue states will have to fill the void left by the Trump Admin. ATF has been neutered and will incapable or unwilling to regulate gun dealers. States must fill this void with necessary legislation, regulation, and enforcement. It won’t fully fill the void because guns flow from Red to Blue.
Something blue states will need to explore: how to create cross-state compacts dedicated to a functioning government as the Trump administration walks away from it's responsibilities.
This is good: With Trump/RFK destroying CDC, JB Pritzker's officials are exploring the possibility of buying Covid vaccines from manufacturers and distributing them in-state themselves, source tells me.
Dem govs must step up and fill the void.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1998...
Dem govs must step up and fill the void.
New piece from me:
newrepublic.com/article/1998...
August 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Yes, Blue states will have to fill the void left by the Trump Admin. ATF has been neutered and will incapable or unwilling to regulate gun dealers. States must fill this void with necessary legislation, regulation, and enforcement. It won’t fully fill the void because guns flow from Red to Blue.
Reposted by Daniel Webster
“Kennedy would be less hazardous if he decided to do cardiac surgery. Then he would kill people only one at a time rather than his current ability to kill by the thousands. Why is it that killing a single person is seen as murder but killing masses is excused if you are a politician?”
Dr Bill Foege
Dr Bill Foege
August 28, 2025 at 5:20 PM
“Kennedy would be less hazardous if he decided to do cardiac surgery. Then he would kill people only one at a time rather than his current ability to kill by the thousands. Why is it that killing a single person is seen as murder but killing masses is excused if you are a politician?”
Dr Bill Foege
Dr Bill Foege
One reason the CDC leadership drew a line in the sand with RFK Jr is the fatal shooting at the CDC campus motivated by RFK jr’s disinformation on vaccines as being “poisonous” and demonization of public health scientists at CDC calling them corrupt.
Earlier this month, a gunman fired 500 rounds into CDC HQ, killing an officer.
When leaders stay silent, political violence thrives. Our leaders must say it plainly: political violence is never acceptable.
Op-ed via @drcrifasi.bsky.social & @daniel-webster.bsky.social: thehill.com/opinion/cong...
When leaders stay silent, political violence thrives. Our leaders must say it plainly: political violence is never acceptable.
Op-ed via @drcrifasi.bsky.social & @daniel-webster.bsky.social: thehill.com/opinion/cong...
thehill.com
August 28, 2025 at 8:28 PM
One reason the CDC leadership drew a line in the sand with RFK Jr is the fatal shooting at the CDC campus motivated by RFK jr’s disinformation on vaccines as being “poisonous” and demonization of public health scientists at CDC calling them corrupt.
Thrilled to see this outcome. This gun dealer was a gross outlier in its sales of untraceable ghost gun kits, mostly cash sales, in Maryland. Teens, prohibited criminals, and traffickers were their market. $62M for evidence-based prevention programs is fair given the harms created. 👏👏
Baltimore was awarded $62M in the trial against a ghost gun dealer, for flooding the city with untraceable guns. The funds will support community violence intervention groups.
@daniel-webster.bsky.social, the Center’s Distinguished Scholar, provided expert witness testimony in the trial.
@daniel-webster.bsky.social, the Center’s Distinguished Scholar, provided expert witness testimony in the trial.
Largest Ever Verdict Dealt Against Gun Dealer Rendered for the City of Baltimore
The trial against Maryland's largest ghost gun dealer concluded tonight in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, with a jury verdict in favor of plaintiffs for $62 million.
mayor.baltimorecity.gov
August 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Thrilled to see this outcome. This gun dealer was a gross outlier in its sales of untraceable ghost gun kits, mostly cash sales, in Maryland. Teens, prohibited criminals, and traffickers were their market. $62M for evidence-based prevention programs is fair given the harms created. 👏👏
To my eye, it looks like Chicago shootings are more than 50% lower than in 2022 peak with no sign that the sharp reduction in shootings is slowing. Still too many shootings plaguing certain communities, but Chicago seems to have effective strategies for curbing shootings without a military invasion.
Chicago shootings are down 38% this year. While gun violence remains far too common, it's is at a far lower level so far this year than it has been in quite a while.
August 24, 2025 at 4:51 PM
To my eye, it looks like Chicago shootings are more than 50% lower than in 2022 peak with no sign that the sharp reduction in shootings is slowing. Still too many shootings plaguing certain communities, but Chicago seems to have effective strategies for curbing shootings without a military invasion.
9. Ignore court orders that curtail presidential power
10. Take care of those with the greatest wealth so that they don’t oppose you.
10. Take care of those with the greatest wealth so that they don’t oppose you.
6. Free individuals who used violence on your behalf to overturn a democratic election,
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
August 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
9. Ignore court orders that curtail presidential power
10. Take care of those with the greatest wealth so that they don’t oppose you.
10. Take care of those with the greatest wealth so that they don’t oppose you.
6. Free individuals who used violence on your behalf to overturn a democratic election,
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
August 24, 2025 at 12:58 PM
6. Free individuals who used violence on your behalf to overturn a democratic election,
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
7. Remove federal law enforcement’s ability to investigate or incarcerate said individuals (see 6) for future use of violence on the president’s behalf,l
8. Purge or conceal objective data on govt performance
500 rounds fired by a man who bought the sack of lies widely promoted by RFK Jr - that the Covid vaccine was “poisonous,” that CDC was “corrupt” and lied about vaccines’ harms. The Washington Post wrote some good articles on this. No response from Trump who uses political violence to his advantage.
It was a MAGA irregular paramilitary attack on the CDC.
It is so wild to me that we had a terrorist attack on the CDC and it just blended into the rest of the political violence.
August 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
500 rounds fired by a man who bought the sack of lies widely promoted by RFK Jr - that the Covid vaccine was “poisonous,” that CDC was “corrupt” and lied about vaccines’ harms. The Washington Post wrote some good articles on this. No response from Trump who uses political violence to his advantage.
Great quotes insights from Duke Prof Jeff Swanson and UMich Prof April Zeoli about the gaps and weaknesses in federal and state gun laws and their enforcement. Police and family knew the Park Ave shooter was a risk to himself and others, had guns but failed to use NV’s ERPO law to prevent gun access
The New York City mass shooter had been diagnosed with multiple mental illnesses and had been the subject of two "mental health holds" in Las Vegas, but none of that limited his legal right to own firearms.
NYC shooter had two 'mental health holds' in Las Vegas. They didn't affect his legal right to own guns
The New York City mass shooter had been diagnosed with multiple mental illnesses and had been the subject of two "mental health holds" in Las Vegas, but none of that limited his legal right to own firearms.
n.pr
August 10, 2025 at 3:37 AM
Great quotes insights from Duke Prof Jeff Swanson and UMich Prof April Zeoli about the gaps and weaknesses in federal and state gun laws and their enforcement. Police and family knew the Park Ave shooter was a risk to himself and others, had guns but failed to use NV’s ERPO law to prevent gun access