Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06), along with Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and other lawmakers, has criticized the Department of Justice (DOJ) for reducing investments in gun violence prevention programs. The group sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging the DOJ to reverse recent policy changes that they argue have weakened efforts to address gun violence.
Georgia has experienced $3 million in cuts to DOJ grant funding, with nearly $1 million previously allocated for youth violence intervention. The lawmakers stated, “By weakening programs that protect our communities from illegal firearms and stripping federal funding for violence intervention and prevention programs, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) policies risk undoing crucial progress in mitigating the root causes of gun violence.”
They also highlighted that the Trump Administration halted $1 billion in federal funding intended for school districts to hire mental health professionals less than two years after a shooting at Apalachee High School. The lawmakers argued these actions would increase vulnerability to gun violence: “These actions will make Americans less safe and more vulnerable to gun violence. […] We demand you reverse these cuts and rollback these policy changes that threaten the safety of the American people that we all serve.”
The letter outlines several DOJ actions over the past year, including cutting funds for local law enforcement and nonprofits involved in violence reduction, ending payments for mental health professional grants in schools, terminating CDC staff focused on violence prevention research, proposing reductions in ATF resources, diverting ATF agents to immigration enforcement duties, revoking regulatory policies on gun dealers, and permitting devices that allow semiautomatic firearms to function like machine guns.
The lawmakers referenced successful community-based interventions in cities such as Baltimore and Birmingham. For example, Baltimore implemented a Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), which contributed to a 23% drop in homicides between 2023 and 2024. Birmingham reported a 52% reduction in homicides compared to 2024. These results were attributed partly to federal support for local programs.
McBath and her colleagues questioned why funding was rescinded from proven community intervention initiatives and requested information about how reduced oversight of gun dealers would improve public safety. They also asked about plans for addressing diminished regulatory capacity at the ATF due to proposed budget cuts.
Other signatories include Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Representatives Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), and Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04).
Lucy McBath is currently serving as U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 7th district after defeating Jeff Criswell in the 2024 general election with nearly 75% of the vote. She has held this seat since replacing Karen Handel in 2019.
According to available data, Georgia ranks ninth nationally for gun homicide rates.
For more information about Rep. McBath’s background: https://ballotpedia.org/Lucy_McBath
For details on her congressional service: https://mcbath.house.gov/about
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