The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) gives government a good name. At a time when the FBI’s crime data program switch-over caused massive under-reporting and the COVID+defund+riot era spiked crime, BJS once again provided data that helps understand the realities. Most of the data was unsurprising, but some stood out. Take-Aways Non-fatal gun violence fell alongside homicides after 1993. Much of the non-fatal data appears associated with gang demographics and modes. Half of gun violence is not reported to the police, relying instead on “street justice.” The Report click any image to enlarge The boringly titled report “Trends and Patterns in Firearm Violence, 1993–2023” provides a three-decade long look at sundry aspects of guns, violence, crime, gangs and so forth. The starting date for the report was the first of four straight years when 24 states, with over 50% of the nation’s population, passed habitual offender laws. This is a … Continue reading →