Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly condemns the Trump administration’s $468 million budget cut to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), citing its detrimental impact on local efforts to combat gun violence. During a recent press conference, Johnson highlighted the role of the ATF in addressing illegal gun trafficking, noting that nearly 60% of firearms recovered in the city originate from out-of-state, primarily from Republican-run areas. He asserts that the funding cut threatens vital programs that have successfully reduced violent crime rates in Chicago.
With ATF staffing set to decrease from over 5,100 to approximately 3,600, collaborative initiatives like the Crime Gun Intelligence Center face substantial hurdles. This center, launched with the ATF’s Chicago Field Office, plays a pivotal role in linking firearms to shootings and disrupting illegal arms flows. Johnson emphasized the urgent need for federal support to ensure local law enforcement can maintain recent progress against gun violence, a message backed by alarming trends in crime and trafficking patterns.
Read full story at hoodline.com
