Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Biden Outlines Strategy To Prevent Public Health Menace Of Gun Violence
The Washington Post: Biden To Focus On Guns In Crime Strategy
Responding to a spike in homicides across the country, President Biden on Wednesday laid out an anti-crime strategy from the White House that cracks down on gun stores that don’t follow federal rules, steps up programs for recently released convicts and provides more support for police departments across the country. The speech is an attempt by the White House to show it is being proactive on an issue that historically has been politically difficult for Democrats and to refocus attention on its efforts to beef up gun regulations. (Linskey, 6/23)
CBS News: "We Will Find You": Biden Signals Crackdown On Gun Dealers Who Break The Law
President Biden said he is holding out hope for the reinstatement of the Assault Weapons Ban after a speech outlining a strategy on crime and gun prevention. Mr. Biden's speech focused heavily on guns, saying his administration plans to reduce gun violence through revoking licenses to sell guns through loopholes. "Today the [Justice] Department is announcing a major crackdown to stem the flow of guns used to commit violent crimes," Mr. Biden said. "It's zero tolerance for gun dealers who willfully violate key existing laws and regulations. And I repeat, zero tolerance. If you willfully sell a gun to someone who is prohibited from possessing it, if you willfully fail to run a background check, if you willfully falsify a record, if you willfully fail to cooperate with inspections, my message to you is this: We will find you." (Erickson, Linton and Segers, 6/23)
In related news —
Gothamist: How Does Treating Gun Violence As A Public Health Crisis Work? One Bronx Program Offers A Potential Flagship Model
Now entering its seventh year, the Jacobi Medical Center program known as Stand Up to Violence is the first of its kind in the state to use a hospital-based approach that treats violence like a disease. There are roughly 18 gun violence prevention programs scattered across the city, several of which have shown promising results. But those behind the Jacobi initiative say its unique model and outcomes stand out among them: Between 2014 to 2018, gun violence in the areas it serves dropped by 45% compared to the four years prior before Stand Up To Violence was initiated, according to Dr. Noè Romo, a pediatrician who serves as the program's medical director. (Kim, 6/21)
Los Angeles Times: Court Mulls California Ban On High-Capacity Gun Magazines
A federal appeals court grappled Tuesday with a key dispute that may determine the fate of several challenges to California gun laws. An 11-member en banc panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals considered a challenge to a voter-approved ban of large-capacity magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition. (Dolan, 6/22)
The Hill: Ex-NRA President, Gun Rights Advocate Unknowingly Speak At Fake Graduation Representing Kids Killed By Gun Violence
A former NRA president and gun rights advocate both unknowingly delivered commencement speeches at a fake high school graduation that represented thousands of children who died from gun violence before they could graduate alongside the class of 2021. In two videos shared on Wednesday, former NRA President David Keene and author and gun rights activist John Lott are seen delivering commencement speeches to a field of empty white chairs. (Pitofsky, 6/23)
