Gun politics is defined in the United States by two primary opposing ideologies concerning the private ownership of firearms. Those who advocate for gun control support increasingly restrictive regulation of gun ownership; those who advocate for gun rights oppose increased restriction, or support the liberalization of gun ownership.

• In the ‘About’ section of this post is an overview of the issues or challenges, potential solutions, and web links. Other sections have information on relevant legislation, committees, agencies, programs in addition to information on the judiciary, nonpartisan & partisan organizations, and a wikipedia entry.
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The Gun Safety category has related posts on government agencies and departments and  committees and their Chairs.

Our onAir volunteers curate content in the above post as well as moderate the discussions at the bottom of the post. Initial content is primarily derived from the work of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions

Gun violence is a multifaceted problem with no single solution. Below is a list of some of the many approaches that are outlined in this post.

Legislative Measures
Public Health Approach
Social and Economic Factors
Gun Industry Regulations
Cultural and Behavioral Changes
Individual Responsibility

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), also known as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the United States government tasked with the enforcement of federal law and administration of justice in the United States. It is equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.

The department is headed by the U.S. Attorney General, who is nominated by the president and confirmed by the US Senate and is a member of the Cabinet. The current attorney general is Merrick Garland, who was sworn in March 11, 2021.

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries.

Its stated missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management.

Mission:  
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (HSGAC) is the Senate’s primary oversight committee with broad jurisdiction over government operations generally and the Department of Homeland Security in particular.

House counterparts: Committee on Homeland Security and Committee on Oversight and Reform

Democratic Members (Minority):
Gary Peters, Michigan – Ranking member
Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire
Jacky Rosen, Nevada
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
Andy Kim, New Jersey
Ruben Gallego, Arizona
Elissa Slotkin , Michigan
John Fetterman, Pennsylvania

Republican Members (Majority):
Rand Paul, Kentucky
Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
James Lankford, Oklahoma
Bernie Moreno, Ohio
Rick Scott, Florida
Josh Hawley, Missouri
Joni Ernst, Iowa
Tim Scott, South Carolina

Current Position: US Senator since 2015
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Positions: US Representative from 2009 – 2015; Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from 2003 – 2007; State Senator from 1995 – 2002
Other Positions:  Chair, Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee;
Chair, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports

Before his election to Congress, Peters served in the United States Navy Reserve, spent 22 years as an investment advisor, and worked briefly in academia.  He was appointed commissioner of the Michigan Lottery by Governor Jennifer Granholm, serving from 2003 to 2008, when he resigned to successfully run for Congress.

On January 28, 2021, Peters was selected as chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for the 2022 election cycle. He was later selected again for the 2024 cycle.

Featured Quote: 
We must keep working together to pass infrastructure legislation. This is about spurring job creation, strengthening our economy, supporting Michigan businesses and investing to upgrade our roads, bridges and broadband access.

Gary Peters says Americans have suffered due to USPS service changes

Current Position: US Senator since 2011
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: Opthamalogist from 1983 – 2011
Other Positions:  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (Ranking Member)

Rand Paul is a son of former three-time presidential candidate and 12-term U.S. representative from Texas, Ron Paul. Paul describes himself as a constitutional conservative and supporter of the Tea Party movement. Paul was a practicing ophthalmologist in Bowling Green, Kentucky, from 1993 until his election to the Senate in 2010.

Featured Quote: 
4 million dead and Dr. Fauci still believes we should continue funding of the Wuhan Lab. Extraordinary and unmatched poor judgement that should preclude Dr. Fauci from being anywhere near the reins of power.

‘It’s Time We Reconsider Paving Roads Overseas’: Rand Paul Calls For 10% Reduction In Foreign Aid

The committee conducts oversight and handles legislation (and resolutions) related to the security of the United States. The committee has authorization and policy oversight responsibilities over the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate counterpart: Senate Committee on Homeland Security 

Subcommittees:

• Border Security and Enforcement
• Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection
• Emergency Management and Technology
• Oversight, Investigations and Accountability
• Transportation and Maritime Security

Chair: Mark Green, Tennessee (R)
Ranking Member: Bennie Thompson, Mississippi (D)

Majority Staff Director: Stephen Siao
Minority Staff Director:  Hope Goins
Meeting Location: H2-176 Ford House Office Building Washington, DC 20515;  (202) 226-8417

Featured Video:  The Cyber Talent Pipeline: Educating a Workforce to Match Today’s Threats – July 29, 2021
Web Links

Current Position: US Representative of MS 2nd District since 1993
Affiliation: Democrat
Other Positions:  Committee on Homeland Security; Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
District: Western Mississippi. It includes most of Jackson, the riverfront cities of Greenville and Vicksburg and the interior market cities of Clarksdale, Greenwood and Clinton.   
Upcoming Election:

Thompson was a schoolteacher in Madison, Mississippi.[2] He served as an alderman (1969–1973) and then mayor of Bolton (1973–1980) before being elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, on which he served from 1980 to 1993.

He is a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. His legislative platform focuses mainly on homeland security, civil rights, agriculture and rural issues, equal education, and health care reform. In 1975, he became one of the original plaintiffs in the Ayers Case, which concerned the adequate funding of predominantly black educational institutes in Mississippi.

Featured Quote: 
Today, the bipartisan @January6thCmte will begin its work investigating the #January6th attack on the Capitol by hearing powerful testimony from the brave law enforcement heroes who defended the Capitol that day.

Rep. Bennie Thompson’s full opening statement in House investigation of Jan. 6

Current Position: US Representative of TN District 7 since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Senator from 2013 – 2018
District: parts of Middle and West Tennessee. most of the area is rural, more than half of the district’s vote is cast in either Montgomery County (Clarksville) or Williamson County (Franklin, Brentwood).    
Upcoming Election:

Green has chaired the Committee on Homeland Security since 2023. After graduating from West Point, Green was an infantry officer. He then graduated from Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University and became a flight surgeon, serving tours of duty in the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War.

Green became the CEO of a hospital emergency department staffing company.

Featured Quote: 
We cannot allow the American dream to be destroyed by socialism. RT if you agree!

Fighting Tyranny with Rep. Mark Green