Oct 24, 2019

Barr outlines mass shootings prevention plan

Attorney General Bill Barr at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Forensic Science Center in Topeka, Kansas, this month. Photo: Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Attorney General Bill Barr outlined in a memo released Wednesday plans to adopt terrorism prevention initiatives to stop mass shootings via "forward leaning" strategies via court-ordered mental health treatment, supervision and counseling.

Driving the news: Activism around gun violence increased following the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton in August, per Axios' Neal Rothschild.

The big picture: The memo to law enforcement officials does not address the issue of gun control, but the Wall Street Journal notes Barr is exploring support on Capitol Hill for legislation on gun background checks.

President Trump initially appeared to support passing meaningful and aggressive legislation gun control in the aftermath of the August shootings, but he later warned of a "slippery slope" on the Second Amendment.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed multiple gun control bills into law this month to tackle the issue. Several Democratic presidential candidates have released gun control plans.

By the numbers: An August poll found 89% of those surveyed favored Congress expanding background checks to all firearm sales and transfers.

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Rashaan Ayesh

Supreme Court allows Sandy Hook lawsuit against gunmaker to move forward

Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The Supreme Court announced Tuesday it will not block a state-level lawsuit against a gun manufacturer by the parents of the children who died during the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, reports USA Today.

Why it matters: Remington Arms was seeking to be protected from the lawsuit, which alleges that the company marketed its military-style rifles "for use in assaults against human beings," per USA Today.

Go deeperNov 12, 2019

Stef W. Kight

Gun safety group is biggest outside spender in Va. state elections

Photo: Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ahead of Virginia's elections Nov. 5, gun safety group Everytown tells Axios they're "outspending the NRA by more than 8-to-1" to help Democrats flip the state's General Assembly.

Why it matters: Everytown says it is the biggest outside spender in the election. Gun politics is changing rapidly around the country and within a swing state once predictably red and pro-gun rights. Gun policy is the top issue for Virginia voters, but those supporting Republicans were just as likely as those supporting Democrats to say it will be "very important" for their vote, per a Washington Post poll.

Go deeperNov 1, 2019

Marisa Fernandez

Providers, employers link up on suicide prevention

Aïda Amer/Axios

Hospital-based programs are working with employers and community organizations to tackle gun violence and suicide.

What's happening: Companies have pleaded with Congress to pass stronger gun control laws to help stop workplace shootings and suicides. But as bills from the House stall in the Senate, employers are turning to health care providers for help.

Go deeperOct 28, 2019