Brian Freskos
@brianfreskos.bsky.social
News editor at The Trace (thetrace.org).
The gun industry is exempt from all federal consumer-product safety regulation. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 10, 2026 at 10:20 PM
The gun industry is exempt from all federal consumer-product safety regulation. Unlike hair dryers, mattresses, and even BB guns, firearms do not need to meet minimum safety standards.
Reposted by Brian Freskos
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. Investigation with @bloomberg.com:
Even a Decade of Unintentional Shootings Could Not Slow America’s Top Pistol Maker
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing.
www.thetrace.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:42 PM
SIG Sauer’s P320 has prompted scores of lawsuits for alleged safety issues. Insiders say a push to make more guns led to shoddy manufacturing. Investigation with @bloomberg.com:
Reposted by Brian Freskos
More than four years after the Oxford school shooting, families are still waiting for a promised state investigation.
For @thetrace.org I reported on what officials said would happen, what didn't happen, and why families say the delay matters
For @thetrace.org I reported on what officials said would happen, what didn't happen, and why families say the delay matters
The Oxford High Shooter Is Behind Bars. Families Still Want to Know How He Went Undetected
Hana St. Juliana was one of four students killed by a classmate. Four years later, her father — and other victims’ families — are waiting for a state review.
www.thetrace.org
February 2, 2026 at 5:49 PM
More than four years after the Oxford school shooting, families are still waiting for a promised state investigation.
For @thetrace.org I reported on what officials said would happen, what didn't happen, and why families say the delay matters
For @thetrace.org I reported on what officials said would happen, what didn't happen, and why families say the delay matters
Gun companies made millions as immigration agents carried out mass federal raids in major cities — and shot people trying to protest or document the agents’ activities.
Gun Sellers Have Made Millions From Trump’s Deployment of Immigration Agents
Last year, the Department of Homeland Security spent a record sum on guns and ammunition, a Trace analysis found.
www.thetrace.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Gun companies made millions as immigration agents carried out mass federal raids in major cities — and shot people trying to protest or document the agents’ activities.
My colleagues @almabeauvais.bsky.social and @jenmascia.bsky.social rounded up how gun groups reacted to the Alex Pretti shooting
The Gun Lobby Is Divided in Its Response to the Alex Pretti Shooting
Some National Rifle Association members were not happy with the gun group’s failure to back Pretti’s right to carry.
www.thetrace.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:44 PM
My colleagues @almabeauvais.bsky.social and @jenmascia.bsky.social rounded up how gun groups reacted to the Alex Pretti shooting
Reposted by Brian Freskos
BREAKING: MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension & Hennepin DA file fed lawsuit dmeanding immediate access to federal evidence in DHS agent's deadly shooting of observer during immigration enforcement operation Sat. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
#1 in Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension v. Noem (D. Minnesota, 0:26-cv-00628) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against All Defendants (filing fee $ 405, receipt number AMNDC-12575332) filed by Hennepin County Attorney's Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Filer requests summons issued....
storage.courtlistener.com
January 25, 2026 at 3:50 AM
BREAKING: MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension & Hennepin DA file fed lawsuit dmeanding immediate access to federal evidence in DHS agent's deadly shooting of observer during immigration enforcement operation Sat. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... Earlier: www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
The Trace's @bychipbrownlee.com is compiling a list of terminated federal funding related to public safety, violence prevention, and gun violence and violence prevention research. Check out his data here:
Trump Has Slashed Federal Funding for Gun Violence Prevention. But How Much Exactly?
For a new analysis, The Trace catalogued how many grants were canceled or redirected during Trump’s first year in office.
www.thetrace.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The Trace's @bychipbrownlee.com is compiling a list of terminated federal funding related to public safety, violence prevention, and gun violence and violence prevention research. Check out his data here:
The extraterritorial charges that Maduro faces aren't unprecedented in the Southern District of New York, which often serves as a venue for federal cases with international elements, including terrorism, organized crime, and financial crimes.
Maduro Has Been Charged With Machine Gun Possession. Here’s Why
Prosecutors allege that the deposed Venezuelan president broke an American gun law despite not having stepped foot on U.S. soil in decades.
www.thetrace.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:11 PM
The extraterritorial charges that Maduro faces aren't unprecedented in the Southern District of New York, which often serves as a venue for federal cases with international elements, including terrorism, organized crime, and financial crimes.
Reposted by Brian Freskos
Shootings plunging, gun sales dipping, data on ICE raid uses of force — we're tracking all this and more in my quarterly @thetrace.org data roundup, 92 Days In Gun Violence
www.thetrace.org/2026/01/shoo...
www.thetrace.org/2026/01/shoo...
January 13, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Shootings plunging, gun sales dipping, data on ICE raid uses of force — we're tracking all this and more in my quarterly @thetrace.org data roundup, 92 Days In Gun Violence
www.thetrace.org/2026/01/shoo...
www.thetrace.org/2026/01/shoo...
Reposted by Brian Freskos
"Deadly force is also only allowed when no reasonable alternative exists. In the Good case, there seemed to be reasonable alternatives, like stepping out of the car’s path."
Immigration Agents Are Shooting People. Is It Legal?
A law professor explains whether the agent who fatally shot Renee Good could face prosecution.
www.thetrace.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM
"Deadly force is also only allowed when no reasonable alternative exists. In the Good case, there seemed to be reasonable alternatives, like stepping out of the car’s path."
We're tracking incidents in which federal immigration agents shoot someone or hold them at gunpoint:
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:28 PM
We're tracking incidents in which federal immigration agents shoot someone or hold them at gunpoint:
Reposted by Brian Freskos
The Trace has identified 14 shootings by federal immigration agents as of January 7.
They include the shootings of three people observing or documenting ICE raids.
www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
They include the shootings of three people observing or documenting ICE raids.
www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
January 7, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The Trace has identified 14 shootings by federal immigration agents as of January 7.
They include the shootings of three people observing or documenting ICE raids.
www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
They include the shootings of three people observing or documenting ICE raids.
www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immi...
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani inherited a city with its lowest rate of gun violence on record. But rather than riding that wave, he is preparing to overhaul the machinery of public safety itself, shifting the focus from police enforcement to a “whole-of-government” prevention model.
Mamdani Plans to Rewrite New York City’s Public Safety Playbook
The new mayor has promised to focus on prevention. Here’s what experts think of his ideas.
www.thetrace.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:20 PM
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani inherited a city with its lowest rate of gun violence on record. But rather than riding that wave, he is preparing to overhaul the machinery of public safety itself, shifting the focus from police enforcement to a “whole-of-government” prevention model.
ChatGPT described how one or two students could funnel classmates into vulnerable positions, maximize fear and confusion, and avoid detection. It offered mapping and weapon concealment strategies.
It even produced a manifesto.
It even produced a manifesto.
ChatGPT Might Have a School Shooting Problem
A researcher was able to coax AI to provide pointers for a hypothetical "Nerf ambush" that could easily be translated into instructions for a school mass shooting.
www.thetrace.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
ChatGPT described how one or two students could funnel classmates into vulnerable positions, maximize fear and confusion, and avoid detection. It offered mapping and weapon concealment strategies.
It even produced a manifesto.
It even produced a manifesto.
A Trace analysis found that over the past decade, 281 people have been shot at high school sporting events
5 Things We Learned About Shootings at High School Sports Events
Most took place at football games — and in the South.
www.thetrace.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
A Trace analysis found that over the past decade, 281 people have been shot at high school sporting events
We are tracking incidents in which federal immigration agents shoot someone or hold them at gunpoint. Check out our dataset:
How Many People Have Been Shot in ICE Raids?
The Trace is tracking gun incidents connected to Trump’s immigration crackdown. Know of one? Please be in touch.
www.thetrace.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:25 PM
We are tracking incidents in which federal immigration agents shoot someone or hold them at gunpoint. Check out our dataset:
Reposted by Brian Freskos
🚨 new dataset alert 🚨
The Gun Violence Data Hub now features data on 78k active federal firearms licensees, which we've geocoded.
Have also just added monthly data on the number of FFLs by type in each state. Check it out!
datahub.thetrace.org/dataset/fede...
The Gun Violence Data Hub now features data on 78k active federal firearms licensees, which we've geocoded.
Have also just added monthly data on the number of FFLs by type in each state. Check it out!
datahub.thetrace.org/dataset/fede...
December 11, 2025 at 6:08 PM
🚨 new dataset alert 🚨
The Gun Violence Data Hub now features data on 78k active federal firearms licensees, which we've geocoded.
Have also just added monthly data on the number of FFLs by type in each state. Check it out!
datahub.thetrace.org/dataset/fede...
The Gun Violence Data Hub now features data on 78k active federal firearms licensees, which we've geocoded.
Have also just added monthly data on the number of FFLs by type in each state. Check it out!
datahub.thetrace.org/dataset/fede...
In the U.S., school shootings are tragically routine, yet major gun reforms remain elusive.
Austria endured its first school mass shooting this summer — and quickly enacted sweeping federal changes. The response raises questions about how countries reckon with violence.
Austria endured its first school mass shooting this summer — and quickly enacted sweeping federal changes. The response raises questions about how countries reckon with violence.
What Can We Learn From Austria's Response to a Single School Shooting?
Lawmakers passed swift, sweeping gun reform after the mass shooting at a school in Graz. Here's how they did it.
www.thetrace.org
December 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
In the U.S., school shootings are tragically routine, yet major gun reforms remain elusive.
Austria endured its first school mass shooting this summer — and quickly enacted sweeping federal changes. The response raises questions about how countries reckon with violence.
Austria endured its first school mass shooting this summer — and quickly enacted sweeping federal changes. The response raises questions about how countries reckon with violence.
29 states require no license to carry concealed guns in public. But what happens when someone from one of those states wants to carry their gun in a state that does require a permit? @bychipbrownlee.com breaks it down:
What Would 'Concealed Carry Reciprocity' Mean for States With Tighter Gun Laws?
Congress may soon vote on a bill that would require states to honor laws loosened elsewhere. We break down what that means.
www.thetrace.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:49 PM
29 states require no license to carry concealed guns in public. But what happens when someone from one of those states wants to carry their gun in a state that does require a permit? @bychipbrownlee.com breaks it down:
Reposted by Brian Freskos
Trump’s DOJ is diverting money meant for community violence prevention to law enforcement and immigration crackdowns. Important reporting by @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
Trump Plans to Take Money From Violence Prevention to Fund His Immigration Crackdown
Grants meant to help violence prevention are being steered to local law enforcement — and recipients must cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
www.thetrace.org
November 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Trump’s DOJ is diverting money meant for community violence prevention to law enforcement and immigration crackdowns. Important reporting by @bychipbrownlee.com for @thetrace.org
Virginia's outgoing GOP governor has vetoed 42 gun reform bills during his tenure, including a ban on abusive dating partners having guns, @jenmascia.bsky.social reports
Virginia’s Election of a Democratic Governor Primes the State for Gun Reform
Democratic lawmakers are confident that Abigail Spanberger will resurrect bills vetoed by her Republican predecessor.
www.thetrace.org
November 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Virginia's outgoing GOP governor has vetoed 42 gun reform bills during his tenure, including a ban on abusive dating partners having guns, @jenmascia.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Brian Freskos
My latest for @thetrace.org challenges a common narrative. That gun violence “starts in the home”.
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
He Patrolled the Neighborhoods Where His Sons Were Drawn into Violence
Despite Adlone Morris's best attempts, he couldn't keep his sons from joining a gang as teenagers. Now they all work to make Detroit safer.
www.thetrace.org
November 13, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My latest for @thetrace.org challenges a common narrative. That gun violence “starts in the home”.
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Adlone Morris was a Detroit cop and a devoted father. Still, his sons got caught up in the streets he patrolled.
Their story highlights the complexities of gun violence that are often ignored [1]
Reposted by Brian Freskos
Here's a nice @tedalcorn.bsky.social piece on the rise in folks aspiring to be legal gun toters in NYC for @thetrace.org. Can confirm his observation that in the past, "permits were largely held by business leaders, politicians, and celebrities."
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
New Yorkers Fill Gun Classes as Applications for Concealed Carry Permits Surge
With few rules on how the courses are taught, gun aficionados have stepped in to run them.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Here's a nice @tedalcorn.bsky.social piece on the rise in folks aspiring to be legal gun toters in NYC for @thetrace.org. Can confirm his observation that in the past, "permits were largely held by business leaders, politicians, and celebrities."
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
www.thetrace.org/2025/11/new-...
The number of applications for permits to carry concealed guns in New York City has increased nearly tenfold in the past three years.
New Yorkers Fill Gun Classes as Applications for Concealed Carry Permits Surge
With few rules on how the courses are taught, gun aficionados have stepped in to run them.
www.thetrace.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The number of applications for permits to carry concealed guns in New York City has increased nearly tenfold in the past three years.
Reposted by Brian Freskos
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
My new story, published in partnership with @thetrace.org and @rollingstone.com: www.thetrace.org/2025/11/nssf...
The Gun Industry’s Suicide Prevention Effort Isn’t What They Say It Is
The National Shooting Sports Foundation has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, but it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
www.thetrace.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:13 PM
The group that represents the interests of the gun industry has won accolades for trying to raise awareness about suicide, the leading cause of gun death.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.
But it uses deceptive numbers to promote its efforts.