The Department of Justice has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe and that means targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime in this country — namely gun violence.
So, we are hard at work. Together, with federal, state, and local law enforcement and community partners we are:
- Focusing on the key drivers of violent crime, including repeat shooters;
- Earning trust and legitimacy in the communities we serve;
- Investing in community-based prevention and intervention programs; and
- Measuring and driving results with data — to achieve tangible and sustainable decreases in violent gun crimes.
The good news is that we’re making progress.
Over the past two years, rates of violent crime are on a downward trajectory.
But we still we have so much more to do. There is no acceptable level of violent crime and gun violence.
Today’s convening is a critical part of that effort because today’s convening is focused on survivors. The courage and commitment you share.
Today’s discussions will be critical to our ongoing work — work like the use of technology to hold violent criminals accountable and to prevent future carnage.
Technology like crime gun intelligence that’s supercharging our ability to swiftly identify repeat shooters and take them off the streets.
With these tools, we trace guns and bullets from crime scenes; locate where and how people are buying illegal guns; and link seemingly unrelated crimes to take repeat shooters off the streets before they can strike again.
With ATF, we’re working to bring crime gun intelligence to more law enforcement agencies, more quickly than ever — from the smallest towns to the biggest cities. Because it’s saving lives.
Later this morning you’ll hear more about crime gun intelligence from Mariana Mitchem, a leader of this work here at ATF.
Crime-gun intelligence has also helped us maximize the many benefits of the most significant gun safety legislation passed in 30 years — the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Since the law’s passage, we’ve been using its common-sense provisions to keep guns out the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.
Under this law, we’re running enhanced background checks on firearms purchasers under 21 years old.
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