Chip Brownlee
@bychipbrownlee.com
Staff writer @thetrace.org Protonmail: chip.c.brownlee@protonmail.com Signal: byChipBrownlee.01
Silencers and short-barreled firearms like sawed-off shotguns have been heavily regulated under the National Firearms Act for nearly a century. That just changed.
The Justice Department Lets 90-Year-Old Regulations on Silencers Fade Away
The DOJ let a judge block longstanding registration requirements on silencers and short-barreled guns like sawed-off shotguns. But the new legal landscape is murky.
thetrace.org
Cecilia Vega says she was pressured by Bari Weiss and other CBS execs to include misinformation and political bias in reporting that aired this year. "Never in my career, until now, have I felt that those edits, that those suggestions, came from a place of misinformation or politics."
“60 Minutes” correspondent says Bari Weiss pressured her to report on events that “never happened”
Cecilia Vega said CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pressured her to include “misinformation” and “political bias” in several news segments.
ms.now
The ruling against New Jersey’s assault weapons ban is likely only the first, and could mark the beginning of the end for similar laws in nearly a dozen states.
New Jersey Just Lost Its Assault Weapons Ban. Here’s Why That Matters for the Rest of the Country.
The Supreme Court is poised to rule such bans unconstitutional next year.
thetrace.org
GrabAGun says it is “uniquely positioned” to benefit from a Trump administration proposal to allow guns to be shipped directly to buyers. Donald Trump Jr. has 300,000 shares in the company. Two senators have questions about that. www.thetrace.org/newsletter/t...
Todd Blanche, Donald Trump Jr. Face Questions Over Direct-to-Door Gun Rule
GrabAGun says it is “uniquely positioned” to benefit from a proposal allowing guns to be shipped directly to buyers. Donald Trump Jr. has 300,000 shares in the company.
thetrace.org
Really interesting story. Worth your time.
Chip Brownlee@bychipbrownlee.com · 2mo agoGun violence has plummeted in Baltimore — along with other crimes. Yes, violence is falling nationwide. But Baltimore is outpacing the nation. And unlike other cities, it never had a COVID violence spike to begin with. So this is much more than a "return to normal." My latest for @thetrace.org
Gun violence has plummeted in Baltimore — along with other crimes. Yes, violence is falling nationwide. But Baltimore is outpacing the nation. And unlike other cities, it never had a COVID violence spike to begin with. So this is much more than a "return to normal." My latest for @thetrace.org
The Trace@thetrace.org · 2mo agoA growing body of research suggests that Baltimore’s approach to reducing shootings at scale may be one of the most effective yet.
America's 250th birthday was marred by gun violence — but not as much as in past years. There were 139 shootings in the U.S. on July 4th, down slightly from last year, and down considerably from 5 years ago.
This time next year, the Supreme Court could be striking down state assault weapons bans. The court has agreed to hear challenges to laws in Illinois and Connecticut. After relisting a bunch of AWB cases for weeks upon weeks, SCOTUS finally granted cert.
The Supreme Court just handed down a major Second Amendment ruling — one that may have big consequences for how future gun rights cases will be judged. In a 6-3 decision, the court struck down Hawaii’s default ban on guns in public-facing private businesses.
The Trace@thetrace.org · 2mo agoThe Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s ban on carrying guns at businesses and other publicly accessible private property without the owner’s express permission. @bychipbrownlee.com breaks down the decision:
The Supreme Court on June 18 narrowed the federal ban on gun possession by people who use illegal drugs, ruling that the government must show that their drug use poses a risk of dangerous behavior.
Supreme Court Limits the Federal Gun Ban on Drug Users
The court unanimously ruled that, without evidence of danger, the government cannot bar people from owning guns because they occasionally use marijuana.
thetrace.org
527 million guns have been produced for the U.S. market since 1899, according to new gun manufacturing data published by the ATF and analyzed @bychipbrownlee.com The actual number of guns still in circulation could be lower — 403 million, according to one estimate.
“Switches” can convert semiautomatic guns into fully automatic weapons capable of firing dozens of rounds in seconds. In Connecticut, a new law will ban the sale of weapons that can be easily converted. The law is a part of a growing trend. The latest @bychipbrownlee.com:
States Take a Different Approach to Getting ‘Switches’ Off the Streets
A new law in Connecticut is part of a growing trend.
thetrace.org
The ATF wants to repeal a Biden-era rule meant to help identify people illegally dealing guns without a license. Critics warned it would target ordinary private sellers and expand background checks. But a @thetrace.org review of 600+ federal prosecutions found little evidence that happened.
The Trump Administration Made a Big Show of Repealing a Biden-Era Gun Rule. It Never Amounted to Much Anyway.
A Trace analysis of more than 600 federal prosecutions found the rule didn’t have the intended effect.
thetrace.org
A new analysis of state data by The Trace links the chain to a quarter of California’s crime guns. The retailer also sold a shotgun to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attacker. www.thetrace.org/2026/05/turn...
Turner’s Outdoorsman Sold the Largest Share of Guns Traced to Crimes in California
A new analysis of state data by The Trace links the chain to a quarter of California’s crime guns. The retailer also sold a shotgun to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner attacker.
thetrace.org
Making sense of the ATF's flurry of gun proposals announced earlier today: Most appear to focus on reducing paperwork, codifying practices the ATF already allows, or removing rules already blocked by courts, @bychipbrownlee.com reports
The ATF Proposed 34 Changes Aimed at “Modernizing” Gun Regulations
Agency leader Robert Cekada portrayed the measures as historic, but most seemed administrative or perfunctory. One drew condemnation from gun reform groups.
thetrace.org
The agency’s new leader, Robert Cekada, portrayed the measures as historic, but most seemed administrative or perfunctory. One drew immediate condemnation from gun reform groups. My latest on the ATF’s newest proposals: www.thetrace.org/2026/04/atf-...
The ATF Proposed 34 Changes Aimed at “Modernizing” Gun Regulations
Agency leader Robert Cekada portrayed the measures as historic, but most seemed administrative or perfunctory. One drew condemnation from gun reform groups.
thetrace.org
The Firearms Policy Coalition, which has been losing membership dues and contributions, told prospective donors they could give David Hogg “the middle finger” by contributing on his birthday. www.thetrace.org/2026/04/fpc-... @thetrace.org
The Gun Rights Group Trying to Fundraise Off a Parkland Survivor’s Birthday
The Firearms Policy Coalition told prospective donors they could give David Hogg “the middle finger” by contributing.
thetrace.org
Over the last two years, a murder-suicide or family annihilation has occurred 1.8 times per day on average.
GOP-led states move to punish enforcement of red flag gun orders michiganadvance.com/2026/04/17/r... From @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
GOP-led states move to punish enforcement of red flag gun orders • Michigan Advance
ERPO laws, also known as red flag laws, once enjoyed support from across the political spectrum. Now, six states have prohibited enforcing the orders — and in some cases, prescribed fines or criminal ...
michiganadvance.com
Trump's pardons are depriving the Crime Victims Fund of vital revenue. So far $113M in criminal fines has been forgiven that could have gone to shooting survivors and other victims of violent crime. My latest, w/@us.theguardian.com:
Trump’s Pardons Are Costing Shooting Survivors Millions
A Trace analysis found that revenue once generated by fining white-collar criminals is drying up — now that the president has pardoned so many of them.
thetrace.org
Republican lawmakers are seeking to punish anybody who enforces an extreme risk protection order. www.thetrace.org/2026/04/repu...
This Law May Help Prevent Mass Shootings, but GOP-Led States Are Trying to Ban It
Republican lawmakers are seeking to punish anybody who enforces an extreme risk protection order.
thetrace.org
Renita Francois is the city’s first deputy mayor for community safety and will oversee the newly created Mayor’s Office of Community Safety. Read my interview with her: www.thetrace.org/2026/04/reni...
How This Deputy Mayor Plans to Reduce Violence in New York City
Francois is the city’s first deputy mayor for community safety and will oversee the newly created Mayor’s Office of Community Safety.
thetrace.org
Around six months ago, a 9-year-old boy was shot and killed inside a home in Springfield, Illinois. The case is still unsolved. But what stood out, especially in a city this size, was the silence around it. For @thetrace.org I went to Springfield to understand why 🧵
No Public Outcry In Springfield After a Kid Is Killed. Why?
Officials in Springfield, Illinois, created a task force to build trust with the community and prevent the type of shooting that claimed Cash Russell’s life. There’s little evidence it’s helping.
thetrace.org
Police in the nation’s biggest city are recovering a growing number of 3D-printed guns, law enforcement officials said. www.thetrace.org/2026/04/3d-p...
New York City’s Spike in 3D-Printed Guns Prompts Push for Tougher Laws
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is advocating legislation that would make 3D-printing guns a crime.
thetrace.org
President Donald Trump’s tariffs are increasing the cost of firearm ammunition. Business owners fear the war with Iran could drive prices higher. The Trace spoke with gun and ammo shops about how they’re coping. Read more: thetr.ac/ulp9m
Robert S. Mueller III, 81, Dies; Rebuilt F.B.I. and Led Trump Inquiry www.nytimes.com/2026/03/21/u...
Robert S. Mueller III, 81, Dies; Rebuilt F.B.I. and Led Trump Inquiry
nytimes.com
This didn't happen. The perception that it did is largely based on fictional shows that were about rich people. Much more common was a household where one person (theoretically Dad in a het household) was the higher earner and paid the housing costs and the other paid utilities & food
Andrew Lokenauth | TheFinanceNewsletter.com@thefinancenewsletter.com · 6mo agoJust ONE generation ago, our fathers could support an entire family on a single paycheck. Afford homes, buy cars, raise kids, family vacations, and retire with pensions… all on ONE middle-class salary. Today? Two incomes barely cover rent in most cities.
Gun rights advocates joined with gun violence prevention leaders to create a set of state-level gun policies that both sides could live with. A rare bit of good news on the gun beat from @bychipbrownlee.com:
‘Bridging the Divide’ on Firearms Laws
A new project brought together people from opposing sides of the gun debate to craft model legislation for violence prevention.
thetrace.org
