Commentary

A Call to Protect Democracy From Political Violence

Commentary

A Call to Protect Democracy From Political Violence

As the nation reels from the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, experts at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions say we must be clear about the threat of guns in a heated election.

Joshua Horwitz, JD and Tim Carey, JD
Riding the Subway With Guns

Commentary

Riding the Subway With Guns

Violence on the New York City subway, real and imagined, was invoked by pro-gun Supreme Court justices in their Bruen ruling. Now the decision's effects may be playing out.

Jonathan M. Metzl
I Left My Neighborhood Due to Gun Violence. How Many Others Have Done the Same?

Chicago

I Left My Neighborhood Due to Gun Violence. How Many Others Have Done the Same?

Communities like Woodlawn need more economic investment — and the people who live there need opportunities to reach their full potential.

Aja Johnson
The Healthcare System Failed Me

Chicago

The Healthcare System Failed Me

After I survived a mass shooting, I had to beg a Chicago hospital for simple things like a wheelchair. My community helped me recover.

Carla Johnson
‘True Love Almost Killed Me’: On Life After Loss

Chicago

‘True Love Almost Killed Me’: On Life After Loss

Losing two boyfriends to gun violence and serving time in prison hurt me. But that pain helped me find my purpose: supporting other returning citizens.

Eroica Del Real
My 16-Year-Old Was Shot and Killed. What Does Justice Look Like?

Chicago

My 16-Year-Old Was Shot and Killed. What Does Justice Look Like?

I still don't know who shot my son — but finding out won't bring him back.

Jaree Noel
After I Was Shot, My Friends Wanted Retribution. I Chose Empathy.

Chicago

After I Was Shot, My Friends Wanted Retribution. I Chose Empathy.

I believe we need to approach gun violence with mercy — and not seek more punishment.

Marlon English
How to Have Better Conversations with Survivors of Gun Violence

Chicago

How to Have Better Conversations with Survivors of Gun Violence

The Trace spoke to nearly 20 survivors about how to engage with them. Mostly, they want to be seen and heard.

Justin Agrelo
When You’ve Been on Both Sides of a Gun

The Trajectory

When You’ve Been on Both Sides of a Gun

Christopher Blackwell reports from inside a transformative justice group that works to remind incarcerated people that they, too, need healing.

Christopher Blackwell
As a Young Journalist, She Reports on Gun Violence. Then Her Classroom Went Into Lockdown.

Commentary

As a Young Journalist, She Reports on Gun Violence. Then Her Classroom Went Into Lockdown.

When a potential shooter locked down parts of Indiana University's campus in September, Mary Claire Molloy had to confront the emotional reverberations of our gun violence crisis.

Mary Claire Molloy
Shooting Survivors Shouldn’t Pay Their Own Medical Bills

Commentary

Shooting Survivors Shouldn’t Pay Their Own Medical Bills

Auto insurance covers treatment for accident victims. Could a similar model protect shooting survivors?

Hugh Gusterson
Do Not Scapegoat Young People for the Increase in Gun Violence

Commentary

Do Not Scapegoat Young People for the Increase in Gun Violence

Historically, juveniles are responsible for a small portion of shootings and homicides. That remains the case today, even as regressive rhetoric resurfaces in America’s most hallowed institutions.

David Muhammad
It’s Time to Hold Our Leaders Accountable and Fix Crime Victims Compensation

Chicago

It’s Time to Hold Our Leaders Accountable and Fix Crime Victims Compensation

As Illinois enacts changes to its victims compensation program, a group of health care providers, survivors, and activists argues that the state needs to make financial help far more accessible to people who have faced gun violence.

Kevin Zickterman, Rhiannon Jimenez, Tanya L. Zakrison, and Paige-Ashley Campbell
Are Cities Willing to Cut Police Spending and Invest in Community Violence Prevention?

Commentary

Are Cities Willing to Cut Police Spending and Invest in Community Violence Prevention?

We know that a public health approach can reduce gun violence. With budgets tight, funding those programs will take divesting from law enforcement.

Anthony Smith and Rachel Davis
The Pandemic’s Impact on Racial Inequity and Violence Can’t Be Ignored

Commentary

The Pandemic’s Impact on Racial Inequity and Violence Can’t Be Ignored

More than ever, our leaders need to prioritize policies and resources that protect vulnerable communities.

Fatimah Loren Muhammad

Support journalism that shines a light on gun violence.

Commentary

A Call to Protect Democracy From Political Violence

Riding the Subway With Guns

I Left My Neighborhood Due to Gun Violence. How Many Others Have Done the Same?

The Healthcare System Failed Me

‘True Love Almost Killed Me’: On Life After Loss

My 16-Year-Old Was Shot and Killed. What Does Justice Look Like?

After I Was Shot, My Friends Wanted Retribution. I Chose Empathy.

How to Have Better Conversations with Survivors of Gun Violence

When You’ve Been on Both Sides of a Gun

As a Young Journalist, She Reports on Gun Violence. Then Her Classroom Went Into Lockdown.

Shooting Survivors Shouldn’t Pay Their Own Medical Bills

Do Not Scapegoat Young People for the Increase in Gun Violence

It’s Time to Hold Our Leaders Accountable and Fix Crime Victims Compensation

Are Cities Willing to Cut Police Spending and Invest in Community Violence Prevention?

The Pandemic’s Impact on Racial Inequity and Violence Can’t Be Ignored