Just Released: Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime and Ensure Public Safety

On June 23, 2021, the White House released Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime and Ensure Public Safety to address the nation’s surge of gun violence. The detailed plan outlines the strategy and various agencies’ involvement, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). It references BJA’s FY 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, stating that “Byrne JAG provides critical support to State and territory, local, and Tribal governments across a range of program areas, including crime prevention and education, law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, technology improvement, crime victim and witness initiatives, and planning and evaluation.” BJA is accepting Byrne JAG applications. State solicitation applications are due July 22, 2021, and local solicitation applications are due August 9, 2021. Byrne JAG funds can also be used for community violence intervention (CVI) efforts. To learn more about CVI, review the White House’s fact sheet outlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in CVI.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks on DOJ’s involvement with the strategy. In addition, in May, Attorney General Garland outlined DOJ’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, which is referenced in the White House’s fact sheet. The first part of the three-pronged DOJ strategy “establishes a set of four fundamental principles to be applied Department-wide to guide violent crime reduction.” The four fundamental principles are to 1) build trust and earn legitimacy, 2) invest in prevention and intervention programs, 3) target enforcement efforts and priorities, and 4) measure results. The second part enhances the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program through U.S. Attorneys. The third part “directs each U.S. Attorney’s Office to work with its state, local, federal, Tribal, and community partners to establish an immediate plan to address spikes in violent crime that are typically seen during the summer.”

The White House’s strategy references various other components, including education, reentry, housing, and jobs, to show the comprehensive approach to preventing and responding to gun crime and ensuring public safety.