Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticizes former President Donald Trump for cutting $468 million from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) budget, claiming the reduction undermines gun violence prevention efforts in the city. The funding cuts leave the ATF operating at nearly the same level as 2010, significantly hampering its ability to inspect gun dealers and effectively regulate firearms, according to the Department of Justice.
As a response to rising gun violence, Johnson’s office highlights that 60% of firearms recovered in Chicago come from outside the state, predominantly from Republican-led areas. Since taking office, the Chicago Police Department has seized 24,000 guns, demonstrating the need for robust federal partnerships like the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, which has proven crucial in reducing violent crime by over 21% this year. Johnson calls for immediate action to restore ATF funding to enhance safety measures and limit the flow of illegal guns.
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