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@9VWM59X Engaged Voter Gun ControlAgreements6mos ago

Criminal Acquisition of Guns: A significant portion of gun crimes is committed with firearms obtained illegally

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, about 80% of firearms used in crimes were obtained through illegal means. This suggests that stricter regulations on law-abiding citizens may not effectively prevent gun violence.

Mental Health Considerations: Research indicates that individuals with serious mental illnesses are responsible for a small fraction of gun violence. According to a report by the National Institute of Mental Health, only about 3-5% of violent acts can be attributed to mental illness. Focusing on improving mental health care and access may be more effective than broad gun control measures.

Criminal Background Checks: While the idea of universal background checks is often proposed, data shows that a substantial number of gun owners acquire their firearms without undergoing background checks. For instance, a 2017 study by the Pew Research Center found that 22% of gun owners obtained their most recent gun without a background check. Strengthening enforcement and existing laws regarding background checks for known criminals may be a more targeted approach.

Effectiveness of Focused Policies: Some states that have implemented laws targeting felons and individuals with mental health issues have seen positive results. For example, Connecticut’s gun laws, which include measures to prevent gun access for the mentally ill, have been associated with a decrease in gun homicides.

Statistics on Defensive Gun Use: Research by the CDC indicates that defensive gun use occurs far more frequently than gun-related crimes, with estimates suggesting that guns are used defensively in approximately 500,000 to 3 million incidents each year. This emphasizes the importance of lawful gun ownership for self-defense.

Impact of Restricting Law-Abiding Citizens: Stricter gun laws can disproportionately affect law-abiding citizens. A report from the Crime Prevention Research Center found that many gun owners are responsible individuals who prioritize safety. Restrictions may not effectively address the issue of gun violence but could hinder the rights of responsible citizens.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…5mos5MO

FBI Director Chris Wray Will Resign

The F.B.I. director, Christopher A. Wray, told bureau employees on Wednesday that he intended to resign before the Trump administration begins, bowing to the reality that President-elect Donald J. Trump had publicly declared his desire to replace him.Mr. Wray made the disclosure while addressing employees Wednesday afternoon in remarks that tacitly acknowledged the politically charged position the F.B.I. now faces with an incoming president who openly scorns the agency.“I’ve decided the right thing for the bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current administration in January and then step down,” Mr. Wray said, adding, “This is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.”The director spoke wistfully about his time at the F.B.I. “This is not easy for me,” he said. “I love this place, I love our mission and I love our people.”The announcement comes after Mr. Trump said in late November that he intended to nominate Kash Patel, a longtime loyalist, to run the F.B.I., and more than two years before Mr. Wray’s 10-year term would have expired.Paul Abbate, the deputy F.B.I. director, is set to retire in April but would typically serve as acting director until Mr. Patel is confirmed. It is not clear who would replace Mr. Abbate, the most senior agent in the bureau.Over more than seven years, Mr. Wray oversaw one of the most consequential and tumultuous periods in the bureau’s history, juggling high-profile criminal investigations of political figures, heated congressional inquiries and two attempted assassinations of Mr. Trump.

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 @ISIDEWITH submitted…5mos5MO

Kamala Harris is considering running for president again in 2028

Kamala Harris has been lying low since her defeat in the presidential race, unwinding with family and senior aides in Hawaii before heading back to the nation’s capital.But privately, the vice president has been instructing advisers and allies to keep her options open — whether for a possible 2028 presidential run, or even to run for governor in her home state of California in two years. As Harris has repeated in phone calls, “I am staying in the fight.”She is expected to explore those and other possible paths forward with family members over the winter holiday season, according to five people in the Harris inner circle, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. Her deliberations follow an extraordinary four months in which Harris went from President Joe Biden’s running mate to the top of the ticket, reenergizing Democrats before ultimately crashing on election night.“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” said one former Harris campaign aide. “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”“She doesn’t have to decide if she wants to run for something again in the next six months,” said one former Harris campaign aide. “The natural thing to do would be to set up some type of entity that would give her the opportunity to travel and give speeches and preserve her political relationships.”Harris concedes: 'We must accept the results of this election'SharePlay VideoMost immediately, Harris and her advisers are working to define how and when she will speak out against Donald Trump and reassert her own role in the Democratic Party. Closing out her term as vice president, she’s set to preside over certifying the November election she lost to Trump, and then appear at the once-and-future president’s inauguration on Jan. 20.“There will be a desire to hear her voice, and there won’t be a vacuum for long,” a person close to Harris said.At the same time, Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, will have a long checklist to plow through before they leave the Naval Observatory for good.They have to decide whether they’ll take up permanent residence at their home in Los Angeles, or establish a base elsewhere. No matter where Harris and her family live, some around her have expressed concerns about safety, as her Secret Service protection expires six months after stepping away.

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