The Justice Department is intensifying its efforts to reduce violent crime in the U.S. 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, stating that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. President Joe Biden’s administration has prioritized addressing violent crime, with a focus on gun violence, which has become a key issue for young voters. Last week, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives announced a new rule requiring more firearms dealers to run background checks on buyers, a move gun rights groups are expected to challenge.
The gun crime intelligence center in Chicago aims to better identify traffickers and prolific shooters by sharing and analyzing firearm intelligence among federal agents, state and local police, and prosecutors. Modeled after similar centers operated by the ATF around the country, the Chicago center has a team of 65 agents, officers, analysts, and prosecutors. ATF Director Steve Dettelbach highlighted the importance of timely investigation and decision-making in the aftermath of violent incidents, stating that the center will be instrumental in catching and preventing violent individuals from obtaining firearms. Chicago, a known hotspot for gun violence, saw a decrease in shootings and killings last year, though recent incidents continue to underscore the ongoing issue.
The Justice Department has also formed new task forces in seven additional U.S. attorney’s offices to address the increase in carjackings across the country. These task forces, now operating in 11 offices, include federal prosecutors, ATF and FBI agents, and state and local law enforcement. The goal is to involve federal officials in the early stages of carjacking investigations to assist with tracing firearms, forensic analysis, and obtaining search warrants and subpoenas, even if the cases are ultimately prosecuted locally. This coordinated approach aims to tackle carjacking incidents that have become a nationwide concern.
The initiatives by the Justice Department come amidst a broader effort to reduce violent crime in the U.S., with a particular focus on addressing gun violence. President Biden has made this issue a key priority in his administration and in his reelection campaign, emphasizing the importance of making communities safer. While there has been a downward trend in crime rates in some areas following a spike during the pandemic, Monaco stressed that no level of violence is acceptable, and the efforts to combat violence must continue. The FBI’s recent data indicates a decrease in murders and overall violent crime in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year, with more detailed data expected to be released in the fall.
The Biden administration’s focus on violent crime has drawn criticism from Republicans, who argue that Democrats have been weak on crime. Gun rights groups are expected to challenge the new rule requiring more firearms dealers to run background checks at gun shows and other locations, reflecting the ongoing debate over gun control measures. The initiatives in Chicago and other areas affected by violent crime aim to improve collaboration among various law enforcement entities and enhance efforts to prevent and investigate violent incidents. By bringing together federal resources and coordinating strategies, the Justice Department seeks to address the root causes of violent crime and make communities safer for all residents.
