Most of the people who read this daily report believe it to be true. They know that guns are violent, hence gun violence. Gun shows are where criminals get guns, and now licensed dealers are selling guns knowingly to gangs ,cartels and insane people.



MAY 28, 2021
Good morning, Bulletin readers. Your Friday newsletter leads with a deeper look at the searchable database that underpins our major investigation into the ATF, and the final part of the package focusing on the small, mom-and-pop gun dealers who have received some of the agency’s strictest penalties. — Tom Kutsch, newsletter editor

Programming note: The Daily Bulletin will be off for the Memorial Day long weekend. We will return next Wednesday, June 2nd.
WHAT TO KNOW TODAY

A searchable database of nearly 2,000 gun dealers with violations between 2015 and 2017. Our sweeping investigation into the ATF’s inspection program was based on records obtained by the gun reform group Brady through its lawsuit against the ATF. The data includes reports of inspections in that time in which gun dealers received warning letters, warning conferences, revocations, or other penalties. The Trace’s Daniel Nass built an interactive map and database to help sort the underlying data, and with our colleague Brian Freskos created a reporting recipe explaining how to find and use the information. In addition to downloading the whole dataset, you can search gun dealers by state, by the type of violation, or the regulatory outcome in the time period in question.The database also includes detailed information about a business’s location and license, and the violations it was cited for.

NEW from THE TRACE: “Kitchen-table” gun dealers rack up ATF violations. Although the bureau inspects fewer than 15 percent of all firearms dealers each year and rarely revokes licenses, some of those who face the strictest penalties are home-based sellers, the ATF inspection records show. These dealers are often targeted by the ATF since they don’t invest in the same inventory tracking and security, and don’t fight federal attorneys as vigorously as established stores or chains. Of 150 shops that received revocations or warning conferences, the two most serious penalties, 40 were nontraditional sellers. Read that story from The Trace and USA TODAY here.

San Jose shooter was previously questioned by law enforcement, allegedly had a history of domestic violence. The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. Customs officers detained the man in 2016 and observed that he expressed hatred of the workplace where he committed the shooting. Separately, court records show an ex-girlfriend said the perpetrator had abused her, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The all-too-common link between domestic abuse and gun violence. A 2019 study in the American Society of Criminology found that 61 percent of perpetrators of mass shootings (defined as those with four or more victims) between 2014 and 2017 had previous domestic violence offenses. A 2020 Bloomberg News investigation found a nearly identical percentage in a larger case study of mass shootings.

Why a far-right church known for worshiping with guns bought land in Texas. The Rod of Iron Ministries is a fringe sect founded by Hyung Jin “Sean” Moon and Kook-jin “Justin” Moon, sons of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon. The brothers also run the gun manufacturer Kahr Arms. In October, The Trace’s Champe Barton reported on their Rod of Iron Freedom Festival, a gathering of far-right ideologues and gun activists that boosted election conspiracy theories. Sean Moon was later among the crowd in Washington, D.C., that gathered outside during the Capitol insurrection. Since then, the church has become even more militant, Vice’s Tess Owen writes, and recently purchased a large compound, where they hope to shield their followers from what they believe is imminent civil strife. “These people are just getting crazier and crazier, and scaring everyone. And I don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said one person whose parents are prominent members.

A bipartisan Senate effort to reform background check rules slowly advances. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy and Republican Senator John Thune are currently negotiating the proposal of a rule that would broaden the definition of federal firearms licensee, NBC News reports. Private sellers are currently exempt from federal background check laws, but a clarified and expanded scope could require those deemed to be “engaged in the business” of selling guns to vet would-be buyers. Though it’s less expansive than a House-passed universal background check bill, the change could prevent prohibited purchasers from buying guns.

Spread the word: Our introduction to “Up the Block” is now in Spanish. The project, led by Trace community outreach editor Sabrina Iglesias, will provide resources to Philadelphians affected by gun violence. Until it launches later this year, you can now read the project description en español or in English.
DATA POINT

3 percent — the share of dealers (56 overall) in our ATF dataset that lost their gun-selling license as a result of legal violations. By contrast, the agency gave 1,774 licensees, or 92 percent, warning letters. [The Trace]
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Anyone that presents 'facts' to a lefty is wasting their time ---------- The left wants confiscation of guns from private owners,, period. They are willing to do it one step at a time-- over time. Now that the dems are 'in', it is pretty much a done deal,,, just a question of how long it will take, and which of the 7 or 8 different avenues they are taking will work. Personally I have posted that they will use the 'sue the maker and seller of guns and ammo' method -------

View in browser|nytimes.com

May 30, 2021

Author HeadshotAuthor Headshot
By Remy Tumin and Marcus Payadue

Welcome to the Weekend Briefing. We’re covering a more normal Memorial Day weekend, a surge in gun ownership and your summer reading list.


Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press
1. The U.S. is heading into its second pandemic summer, but the mood is brightening.

For this Memorial Day weekend, parades and barbecues — canceled last year as the country was nearing 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus — are back on.

More than half of all adults in the U.S. have now been fully vaccinated. About 23,000 new infections are being reported daily, the lowest number in nearly a year. Travel is back, and so is congestion (which is making some traffic reporters very happy). If you’re on the road this weekend, pack patience and sunblock. Above, on the road in Kennebunk, Maine.

While the pace of vaccinations in the U.S. has slowed, the nation is getting closer to President Biden’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults by July 4. The biggest gains in recent weeks have been made in vaccinating children who are 12 to 15 years old, according to a Times analysis.

But for many, the pandemic has left deep scars. In New York City, a teenage brother and sister were orphaned by Covid-19. They’re rebuilding their lives, unearthing courage from sorrow.


Jason Andrew for The New York Times
2. Key questions about the Jan. 6 riot may never be answered now that congressional Republicans have blocked an independent inquiry.

The public may never know precisely what President Donald Trump and members of his administration did or said as a throng of his supporters stormed the Capitol while Congress met to formalize President Biden’s victory; why security officials were so unprepared for the breach; or the extent of the role of Republican lawmakers in planning the “Stop the Steal” rally that turned into a deadly attack.

Instead, Republican senators moved to shift an unwelcome spotlight away from Trump and the complicity of many G.O.P. lawmakers in amplifying his false claims of widespread voter fraud. Republicans have argued that the existing investigations will address what happened. But they have strict limits.


Matthew Busch for The New York Times
3. Gun purchases surged during the pandemic — a fifth of them by first-time owners — and the pace hasn’t slowed.

While gun sales have been climbing for decades, Americans have been on an unusual, prolonged buying spree fueled by the pandemic, the protests last summer and the fears they both stoked. A record 1.2 million background checks were conducted in a single week this spring.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign a wide-ranging bill that would allow virtually anyone over the age of 21 to carry a handgun — no permit required. It’s part of a string of Republican-led initiatives that the State Legislature has pushed through during its most conservative session in modern history. Next up: a voting bill that critics say will make Texas “the most difficult place to vote in the country.”


4. A Russian-speaking gang has become the face of global cybercrime. We got an inside look.

The ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline by the gang known as DarkSide cast a spotlight on a rapidly expanding criminal industry based primarily in Russia. Now, even small-time criminal syndicates and low-skilled hackers can pose a potential national security threat.

Ransomware is easily obtained off the shelf, and virtually anyone can load it into a compromised computer system using YouTube tutorials or with the help of groups like DarkSide. Customer support is included. A glimpse into DarkSide’s secret communications reveals a criminal operation that is pulling in millions of dollars in ransom payments each month.


Peter DaSilva for The New York Times
5. Have you tried to buy a new house recently? Best of luck.

Tired of being cooped up, eager to take advantage of low interest rates and increasingly willing to move two or more hours from the urban core, buyers have propelled new home construction to its highest level since 2006. Home builders now risk losing business because they can’t supply enough inventory.

In California, some residents have moved out of big cities in search of more space and lower prices, creating hot spots in the suburbs and the once-sleepy exurbs. Above, a new subdivision in Lathrop, Calif.

Our columnist explains how to win a bidding war before it even starts.

Your support makes our journalism possible.
Help us continue to bring the facts to light. Become a subscriber with this special offer.


Sarah M Vasquez for The New York Times
6. School officials ranked Dalee Sullivan third in her class. She disagreed and took her high school to court.

Sullivan, a recent graduate in Alpine, Texas, could not find an affordable lawyer, so she represented herself in court, arguing that school officials had made errors in tabulating grade-point averages. “I have all the facts,” she said. “And no one knows it as well as I know it.”

The judge ruled that the dispute needed to go through the school district’s grievance process, and if Sullivan were not pleased with the outcome, the judge told her, she could come back to court.

Graduation season brings myriad advice during commencement remarks. Here are 14 excerpts from speeches around the country, from the founder of Reddit to Dr. Anthony Fauci.


Darko Vojinovic/Associated Press
7. The Big Three are all playing for history at the French Open.

Through a quirk in the sport’s seeding system, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, above, and Roger Federer are almost guaranteed to meet on the way to the men’s final at Roland Garros. But at this singular moment in their careers, with Federer and Nadal tied at 20 Grand Slam wins each and Djokovic close behind with 18, only Djokovic is so intently focused on the numbers.

Here are some matches to watch in the first round. Naomi Osaka plays Patricia Maria Tig this morning. Osaka plans to skip news conferences during the tournament to keep focused and protect her mental health.

From Paris to Porto: At the Champions League final in Portugal, Chelsea beat Manchester City to pick up the biggest prize in European soccer.


Ryan Gillett
8. Summer is almost here. We’ve got books, movies and peach pie to help you enjoy it.

Nail-biting thrillers. An Antarctic ghost story. A trip to 19th-century England. Our editors and reviewers have picked 73 books for your summer reading list. And we’ve compiled a list of audio options, too, for your next road trip.

Perhaps you’re missing the big-screen experience? “The excitement of being back, however tinged by free-floating nervousness, can’t be downplayed,” one devoted moviegoer writes. Here are some noteworthy films scheduled for release this summer.

And our Food reporters and editors are unanimous: The best time of year to cook and eat is summer, when cool smashed cucumbers break through the heat and you might eat one too many hot dogs (but it’s summer, so who cares). They shared their dream summer recipes.


Darryl Cheng
9. Your snake plant and Pothos are not the only ones out of control.

After a long winter and spring, your plants could use a little love — or maybe a complete overhaul. Our garden expert talked to Darryl Cheng, better known as @houseplantjournal, about bringing new plants to life from old by finding the right light and propagation.

“There are lots of ways to succeed,” Cheng said. “If you are the kind of person who can figure out how a system works, and then experiment within it, you can succeed.”

If you’re taking your houseplants outside for the summer, a gardening website recently ranked the best (and worst) cities in which to tend to your plants in the nude.


10. And finally, great reads for a long weekend.

Magic’s greatest card trick. A 70-year-old cold case in Australia. The “talking” dog of TikTok. Enjoy these stories and more in The Weekender.

Our editors also suggest these 10 new books, DMX’s posthumous all-star track and other new songs, the return of “Meerkat Manor,” and the season finale of “Still Processing.”

Did you follow the news this week? Test your knowledge. And here’s the front page of our Sunday paper, the Sunday Review from Opinion and today’s Mini Crossword and Spelling Bee. If you’re in the mood to play more, find all our games here.

Hope you enjoy a leisurely week.

Your Weekend Briefing is published Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Eastern.

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What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes.com.