Friday Finds
Our weekly roundup of gun violence prevention news from across the country
On Fridays here at Armed With Reason, we highlight articles from the gun violence prevention realm that might’ve been missed during your busy week.
What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
“In 2023, the most recent year for which complete data is available, 46,728 people died from gun-related injuries, according to the CDC.”
Teens Are More Likely to Arm Themselves in Cluttered, Violence-Plagued Neighborhoods, Research Finds
“In the study, researchers analyzed the relationship between perceived neighborhood disorder, exposure to violence, and the likelihood of an adolescent carrying a gun to school.”
More States Are Filling a Federal Gap by Helping Police Track Stolen Guns
“While firearms dealers are required to report lost or stolen guns within 48 hours, there’s no similar federal requirement for individual gun owners.”
'A direct attack on science': Trump's return is rattling gun violence researchers
“Now, as the new administration takes aggressive steps to reverse progressive policies and allow pandemic funding to expire, uncertainty is once again the prevailing notion in their field.”
Active shooter fears at cheerleading competition turned a skirmish into a stampede
“It's the latest active shooter false alarm in a nation constantly on-edge about the potential for the next mass shooting….”
Joaquin Oliver’s Parents Turn “Thoughts and Prayers” into Toilet Paper to Call Out Hypocrisy of Gun Violence
“Thoughts & Prayers Toilet Paper (Ts & Ps TP), features actual social media posts from pro-gun lobby politicians issued in the aftermath of mass shootings…. showcasing the repeated cycle of empty rhetoric instead of real legislative action.”
Mexico’s Lawsuit Against U.S. Gun Manufacturers Goes to the Supreme Court:
Armed With Reason has kept an eye on the problem of U.S.-made guns crossing into Mexico for awhile. This week, that country’s arguments were presented to the SCOTUS.
Mexico faces US gunmakers in Supreme Court, saying they fuel cartel crime
“President Donald Trump has long accused Mexico of sending migrants and drugs to the United States. But in an unusual case heard before the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday, Mexico is arguing that the underlying cause of its crime and migration problems is actually American gun manufacturers.”
VIDEO: Mexico argues American gunmakers liable for cartel gun violence
“Mexico is seeking billions of dollars from several major U.S. firearm manufacturers and one gun wholesaler in an effort to be reimbursed for costs related to gun violence.”
VIDEO: A showdown between Mexico and American gun companies hits the Supreme Court
“This time, gun violence prevention groups worry the Supreme Court could side with gun makers in a way that would go far beyond this dispute between Mexico and American gun companies.”
SCOTUS Appears Ready to Sink Mexico’s Lawsuit Against U.S. Gunmakers
“During oral arguments in Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos on March 4, a majority of the court expressed doubts that the Mexican government had offered specific enough evidence to move forward to a trial.”
Related: Oral Argument - Audio
Regional News:
Discontinued violence prevention program for struggling teens revived with $25 million
“The program, launched in 2022, was designed to be a trailblazing initiative to prevent gun violence and re-engage youth ages 14 through 21 who were disconnected from Chicago public schools.”
Children of color in Connecticut more likely to die from gun violence than white peers, data shows
“… during the same period, five white children died by suicide with a firearm, while one Black child and one Hispanic died by suicide with a firearm.”
VIDEO: ‘A big issue we need to make sure we focus on’, Advocates discuss retaliatory gun violence
“Leaders said most of the retaliation stems from non fatal shootings. Lansing Police said so far this year, the city has seen 10 of them.”
Illinois law acknowledges gun possession doesn’t mean pulling the trigger
“In January, a new Illinois law changed the names of six weapon possession charges in an effort to better clarify when someone is charged with illegally possessing a weapon as opposed to using one in a crime.”
Ginuwine, Passion Pit to Headline Gun-Violence-Prevention Organizations’ SXSW Showcases
“In collaboration with Bandsintown and Music Managers Forum-US, Artist for Action and Sandy Hook Promise are curating the Take Action x SXSW Music & Social Impact Summit.”
Photo by Antoni Shkraba; via Pexels.