The Trace

Philadelphia detectives have significantly increased their clearance rates for homicides and nonfatal shootings over the past decade, with homicide clearance rates rising from 45% in 2016 to 82% in 2023. The quick arrest of two 16-year-old suspects in the June 2024 fatal shooting of William 'Billy' Schmidt exemplifies this trend, attributed to reduced homicide rates and advancements in crime-solving technology.

Philadelphia’s gun carry license revocations increased nearly 2.5 times over five years, with 2,200 revoked in 2023 compared to over 800 in 2021. The Justice Department is investigating whether vague criteria were used, while a local group, the Black Lion Party for International Solidarity, had licenses revoked after a verbal clash with police. A proposed bill aims to bar revocations based on 'character and reputation.'

The Trump administration is rolling back gun restrictions aimed at public safety, following President Trump's pledge to expand Second Amendment rights. Justice correspondent Ali Rogin discussed these efforts with Chip Brownlee from The Trace, who covers federal gun policy.

A study by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot wound victims in Florida hospitals are discharged significantly faster than insured patients, with some staying half as long. The analysis of hospital data from 2018 to 2024 shows uninsured patients, like Alea Bates who was shot seven times, often receive less comprehensive care and face barriers to rehabilitation due to financial constraints.

Florida hospitals discharge gunshot wound victims more quickly if they are uninsured, as seen in Alea Bates' case where she was sent home after four days without further diagnostic tests due to lack of health insurance. A new analysis by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals uninsured patients with gun injuries in Florida spend significantly fewer hospital days compared to insured patients.

A yearlong investigation by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot victims in Florida have shorter hospital stays compared to insured patients. Uninsured patients averaged six days in the hospital, about three-quarters of the time for those with private insurance and less than half for Medicaid patients. Black patients were highly overrepresented, comprising nearly half of all gunshot wound hospitalizations.

Over 3,300 challenges to gun laws have been ruled on by federal courts since the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision expanded the Second Amendment. The rulings, tracked by The Trace, include 2,488 cases targeting the federal felon gun ban and 28% success rate for civil lawsuits invalidating gun regulations, with a partisan divide in judicial outcomes.

The article discusses the emotional and social challenges faced by families of murder-suicide perpetrators, highlighting the lack of support groups addressing both grief and guilt. Tina Chevalier, whose brother killed himself and his girlfriend in 2021, co-founded a virtual support community for survivors of murder-suicides.

Philadelphia City Council passed legislation to provide death benefits to families of first responders who died by suicide linked to job-related trauma, despite opposition from Mayor Cherelle Parker over cost concerns. The law classifies such suicides as in-the-line-of-duty deaths, offering lifetime pensions to qualifying families, including those of police and fire personnel.

A New York appeals court upheld a $4.3 million judgment against former NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre for civil corruption involving the misuse of NRA funds. The court also rejected LaPierre’s claim that a 10-year ban from paid NRA positions violated his First Amendment rights. The NRA Foundation announced plans to split from the NRA and rebrand as the 1791 Foundation.

The Trump administration, led by newly confirmed ATF Director Robert Cekada, repealed a Biden-era rule targeting the 'gun show loophole' by removing requirements for certain private sellers to obtain licenses and conduct background checks. Experts and a review by The Trace indicate the repealed rule had minimal impact on enforcement and did not lead to significant federal prosecutions.

Shootings are increasing in parts of Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods, despite citywide declines in gun violence. Residents and activists express concern that violence remains a persistent issue, with some areas seeing over 20% and 50% rises in shootings and killings, respectively, in 2026 compared to 2025.

Donald Trump's pardons of white-collar criminals have redirected billions in fines away from a fund supporting victims of violent crime, impacting organizations that assist these victims. The Trace analysis highlights the financial strain on these groups due to reduced revenue from uncollected penalties.