The Justice Department is taking steps to address violent crime in the US by launching a specialized gun intelligence center in Chicago and expanding task forces to combat carjackings. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the need to make communities safer and stated that no level of violence is acceptable. President Joe Biden’s administration has made reducing violent crime a priority, with a focus on bringing federal resources to act as force multipliers. Gun rights groups are expected to challenge a new ATF rule requiring more firearms dealers to conduct background checks at gun shows.
The gun crime intelligence center in Chicago will bring together federal agents, state and local police, as well as prosecutors to share and analyze firearm intelligence. The goal is to identify traffickers and prolific shooters more efficiently, as well as prevent individuals from obtaining firearms in the first place. This initiative is modeled after similar centers run by the ATF across the country. Chicago, a hotspot for gun violence, saw a decrease in shootings and killings last year, but incidents like a recent shooting that left a young girl dead highlight the ongoing issue of gun violence in the city.
As the FBI data shows a decrease in murders and violent crime in the last three months of 2023 compared to the previous year, the Justice Department is also focusing on combating carjackings. Task forces have been established in seven more US attorney’s offices to address the issue, bringing the total to 11 offices. These task forces include federal prosecutors, ATF and FBI agents, and state and local law enforcement, with the goal of getting federal officials involved in carjacking investigations from the beginning to assist with tracing firearms, forensics analyses, and obtaining search warrants and subpoenas.
The new initiatives are part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to address violent crime in the US. The goal is to catch more violent offenders and prevent them from obtaining firearms, ultimately making communities safer. The involvement of federal resources, including specialized gun intelligence centers and task forces, aims to make a significant impact on reducing violent crime. President Joe Biden has made addressing gun violence a key focus of his administration, with a particular emphasis on reaching out to young voters concerned about the issue.
Gun rights groups are likely to challenge the new ATF rule that requires more firearms dealers to conduct background checks at gun shows. However, the Justice Department remains committed to its efforts to combat violent crime and ensure the safety of communities across the US. By bringing together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as prosecutors, the initiatives seek to leverage resources and expertise to effectively address issues such as gun violence and carjackings. The ongoing commitment to reducing violent crime reflects the administration’s dedication to prioritizing public safety and addressing the concerns of communities impacted by these crimes.
