Will Van Sant
@vansant.bsky.social
Reporter for The Trace, covering the gun lobby. Email: wvansant@thetrace.org, wvansant@proton.me.
Reposted by Will Van Sant
The Trump administration has reoriented a grant initiative originally meant to fund community-based violence prevention, using it instead to bolster local law enforcement and the president’s immigration crackdown.
Trump Plans to Take Money From Violence Prevention to Fund His Immigration Crackdown
Grants meant to help violence prevention are being steered to local law enforcement — and recipients must cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
www.thetrace.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
The Trump administration has reoriented a grant initiative originally meant to fund community-based violence prevention, using it instead to bolster local law enforcement and the president’s immigration crackdown.
Reposted by Will Van Sant
KFF Health News and @thetrace.org are talking to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Help Us Investigate Medical Care for Gunshot Wounds - KFF Health News
We’d like to talk to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
kffhealthnews.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:25 PM
KFF Health News and @thetrace.org are talking to people who’ve been wounded or families of those killed by gun violence to better understand how insurance affects such medical care.
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Click below to reach our reporting team ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Having fully ceded their war powers, taxing powers, spending powers, and general lawmaking powers to the president, the only thing left for members of Congress to do all day is try to censure each other
Nancy Mace to force vote on ousting fellow GOP Rep. Cory Mills from committees
Republicans have fumed as Democrats have repeatedly withdrawn their censure measures against the embattled Floridian.
www.axios.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Having fully ceded their war powers, taxing powers, spending powers, and general lawmaking powers to the president, the only thing left for members of Congress to do all day is try to censure each other
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, what's left of it anyway, is taking enforcement cues from Trump's executive orders and backing gun rights interests as never before. My latest published in partnership with @motherjones.com
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
At the Justice Department, Civil Rights Now Means Gun Rights
The Civil Rights Division was created to protect the disempowered. Under Trump, it's working to dismantle gun restrictions.
www.thetrace.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, what's left of it anyway, is taking enforcement cues from Trump's executive orders and backing gun rights interests as never before. My latest published in partnership with @motherjones.com
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/doj-...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
My latest for @thetrace.org challenges a common narrative. That gun violence “starts in the home”.
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
He Patrolled the Neighborhoods Where His Sons Were Drawn into Violence
Despite Adlone Morris's best attempts, he couldn't keep his sons from joining a gang as teenagers. Now they all work to make Detroit safer.
www.thetrace.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My latest for @thetrace.org challenges a common narrative. That gun violence “starts in the home”.
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Here's a nice @tedalcorn.bsky.social piece on the rise in folks aspiring to be legal gun toters in NYC for @thetrace.org. Can confirm his observation that in the past, "permits were largely held by business leaders, politicians, and celebrities."
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
New Yorkers Fill Gun Classes as Applications for Concealed Carry Permits Surge
With few rules on how the courses are taught, gun aficionados have stepped in to run them.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Here's a nice @tedalcorn.bsky.social piece on the rise in folks aspiring to be legal gun toters in NYC for @thetrace.org. Can confirm his observation that in the past, "permits were largely held by business leaders, politicians, and celebrities."
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
My new story, published in partnership with @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/nssf...
The Gun Industry’s Suicide Prevention Effort Isn’t What They Say It Is
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, but it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
www.thetrace.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
Reposted by Will Van Sant
A New JAMA Report led by veteran gun violence prevention researchers explores the ways to significantly reduce gun violence in the next 15 years: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/how-...
A Blueprint for Reducing Gun Violence by 2040, According to Experts
The JAMA Summit on Firearm Violence convened thought leaders from a wide array of disciplines to discuss ideas for preventing shooting deaths and injuries.
www.thetrace.org
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
A New JAMA Report led by veteran gun violence prevention researchers explores the ways to significantly reduce gun violence in the next 15 years: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/how-...
Maine voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a "red flag" measure that allows courts to temporarily take weapons from those found to be a danger to themselves or others.
Some background here from a 2023 @thetrace.org story:
www.thetrace.org/2023/10/main...
Some background here from a 2023 @thetrace.org story:
www.thetrace.org/2023/10/main...
Will Maine's Permissive Gun Laws Change After the Lewiston Shooting?
The state has high rates of gun ownership, yet mass shootings were virtually unheard of — until now.
www.thetrace.org
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Maine voters yesterday overwhelmingly approved a "red flag" measure that allows courts to temporarily take weapons from those found to be a danger to themselves or others.
Some background here from a 2023 @thetrace.org story:
www.thetrace.org/2023/10/main...
Some background here from a 2023 @thetrace.org story:
www.thetrace.org/2023/10/main...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear two Second Amendment cases this year, the most in its history. @bychipbrownlee.com put together this explainer about the cases and their potential implications.
The Supreme Court Is More Interested in Second Amendment Cases Than Ever Before
The justices will consider two significant challenges this term. Here’s how they might affect gun laws.
www.thetrace.org
November 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear two Second Amendment cases this year, the most in its history. @bychipbrownlee.com put together this explainer about the cases and their potential implications.
When you're a reporter and you betray a source, you've blown up your credibility — your word means nothing.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Rubio promised to betray U.S. informants to get Trump’s El Salvador prison deal
To secure U.S. access to President Nayib Bukele’s notorious CECOT prison, Rubio agreed to turn over several MS-13 leaders central to a long-running Justice Department investigation.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM
When you're a reporter and you betray a source, you've blown up your credibility — your word means nothing.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Just the latest impact from the great work that @champebarton.bsky.social has done for @thetrace.org on a major gunmaker and its problem pistol.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/sig-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/sig-...
Trace Investigation Prompts New Jersey to Sue Gunmaker Over Allegedly Defective Pistols
New Jersey's attorney general is demanding that SIG Sauer recall its P320 pistol after the gun was involved in several unintentional shootings in the state.
www.thetrace.org
October 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Just the latest impact from the great work that @champebarton.bsky.social has done for @thetrace.org on a major gunmaker and its problem pistol.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/sig-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/sig-...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
It's projects like this that make me proud to be part of @thetrace.org. I'm from Brownsville, and I don't think I've ever seen it captured this way in any other news outlet.
These Neighborhood Groups Are Fighting to Rewrite Brownsville’s Legacy of Violence
I first met Gene Krell in February of 2020, when I was photographing the Black Lives Matter movement in New York City. Krell was a native of Brownsville, a residential neighborhood on the east side of...
www.thetrace.org
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 PM
It's projects like this that make me proud to be part of @thetrace.org. I'm from Brownsville, and I don't think I've ever seen it captured this way in any other news outlet.
Our Atlas of American Gun Violence is revamped, giving users new ways of exploring the data. Powerful @thetrace.org work.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/anno...
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/anno...
Where Are People Being Shot in America?
The Trace’s Atlas of American Gun Violence has been updated to allow you to search by address, county, congressional district, type of shooting — and to download maps.
www.thetrace.org
October 14, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Our Atlas of American Gun Violence is revamped, giving users new ways of exploring the data. Powerful @thetrace.org work.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/anno...
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/anno...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Today, we're debuting a new feature on @thetrace.org called 92 Days in Gun Violence. It's a quarterly update. The big finding thru Q3 is that have been fewer shooting deaths in 2025 than any year in a decade.
Plus more on gun sales, our work, and recent research:
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/shoo...
Plus more on gun sales, our work, and recent research:
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/shoo...
October 10, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Today, we're debuting a new feature on @thetrace.org called 92 Days in Gun Violence. It's a quarterly update. The big finding thru Q3 is that have been fewer shooting deaths in 2025 than any year in a decade.
Plus more on gun sales, our work, and recent research:
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/shoo...
Plus more on gun sales, our work, and recent research:
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/shoo...
Gun dealers talk to @champebarton.bsky.social about the drop in demand, what drives sales, and the state of the industry.
Some dealers are seeing folks who bought during the pandemic sales surge now seeking to sell their guns.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Some dealers are seeing folks who bought during the pandemic sales surge now seeking to sell their guns.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Gun Stores Are Struggling Under Trump
Dealers say the president’s gun-friendly policies have actually hurt their sales. “People have a tendency to want what they feel is under threat," one said.
www.thetrace.org
October 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Gun dealers talk to @champebarton.bsky.social about the drop in demand, what drives sales, and the state of the industry.
Some dealers are seeing folks who bought during the pandemic sales surge now seeking to sell their guns.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Some dealers are seeing folks who bought during the pandemic sales surge now seeking to sell their guns.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Revealing look by @mikespies.bsky.social at a troubled and now abandoned partnership between the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the gun industry's trade group.
Seems it had some success as a PR exercise at least.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Seems it had some success as a PR exercise at least.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
A Program Backed by the Gun Industry Failed to Reduce Suicide — and Was Secretly Shut Down Early
The country’s best-known suicide prevention group teamed up with the gun industry. The effort was good for public relations and raising money, but it never met its goal, and internal records show why.
www.thetrace.org
October 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Revealing look by @mikespies.bsky.social at a troubled and now abandoned partnership between the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the gun industry's trade group.
Seems it had some success as a PR exercise at least.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Seems it had some success as a PR exercise at least.
www.thetrace.org/2025/10/gun-...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Claim: President Trump says Portland is "war-ravaged" and "on fire."
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
October 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Claim: President Trump says Portland is "war-ravaged" and "on fire."
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Fact-check: Gun violence in Portland has been plummeting since the pandemic — and shootings in the neighborhood around the ICE facility are rare
Given yesterday's call to use American cities as military training grounds, sharing this debunking of Trump's crime claims and related @thetrace.org coverage put together by my colleague @jenmascia.bsky.social
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
Trump’s Big Crime Lies
As the president prepares to send federal troops into Memphis and Chicago, we debunk a few of his most mendacious talking points.
www.thetrace.org
October 1, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Given yesterday's call to use American cities as military training grounds, sharing this debunking of Trump's crime claims and related @thetrace.org coverage put together by my colleague @jenmascia.bsky.social
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Make a gift to help The Trace inform more people about an issue that affects all of us: thetrace.fundjournalism.org?campaign=701...
September 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Make a gift to help The Trace inform more people about an issue that affects all of us: thetrace.fundjournalism.org?campaign=701...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Sobering story from @themainemonitor.org on the high rates of gun suicides among older Mainers.
They're the first newsroom to use a new Gun Violence Data Hub dataset to localize a story on this subject.
themainemonitor.org/maine-suicid...
They're the first newsroom to use a new Gun Violence Data Hub dataset to localize a story on this subject.
themainemonitor.org/maine-suicid...
How Maine's rates of gun suicide compare to national trends
More older Mainers died by gun suicide than in car crashes over a 15-year period, data that mirrors a troubling trend across the country.
themainemonitor.org
September 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Sobering story from @themainemonitor.org on the high rates of gun suicides among older Mainers.
They're the first newsroom to use a new Gun Violence Data Hub dataset to localize a story on this subject.
themainemonitor.org/maine-suicid...
They're the first newsroom to use a new Gun Violence Data Hub dataset to localize a story on this subject.
themainemonitor.org/maine-suicid...
Reposted by Will Van Sant
Trump talks about crime a lot. And much of what he says is false. @jenmascia.bsky.social breaks it down here
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
Trump’s Big Crime Lies
As the president prepares to send federal troops into Memphis and Chicago, we debunk a few of his most mendacious talking points.
www.thetrace.org
September 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Trump talks about crime a lot. And much of what he says is false. @jenmascia.bsky.social breaks it down here
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/trum...
NEWS: In 2020, the ATF added nonbinary as a sex choice on the federal background check form for gun sales. Now, the agency says the form is being modified to comply with Trump's order declaring male and female immutable categories.
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
Buying a Gun Is About to Get More Complicated for Nonbinary People
The ATF has told The Trace that the federal background check form for gun sales is being revised to recognize only two sexes.
www.thetrace.org
September 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
NEWS: In 2020, the ATF added nonbinary as a sex choice on the federal background check form for gun sales. Now, the agency says the form is being modified to comply with Trump's order declaring male and female immutable categories.
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
Suicide among older men, particularly white men, is rising. Reporter amendelson.bsky.social goes deep and delivers illuminating details, like a gun store owner catching heat for trying to boost suicide awareness. Check it out:
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
The Quiet Crisis: What’s Driving Gun Suicides Among Older Americans?
More and more older Americans are dying by firearm suicide, a new analysis from The Trace and GQ reveals. Older white men and those in rural areas experience alarmingly high rates.
www.thetrace.org
September 18, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Suicide among older men, particularly white men, is rising. Reporter amendelson.bsky.social goes deep and delivers illuminating details, like a gun store owner catching heat for trying to boost suicide awareness. Check it out:
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/09/gun-...