Brady Responds to Trump Administration’s Apparent Closure of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

The inter-agency office – formed under President Biden – led to historic drops in gun crime and illegal gun sales 

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 21, 2025 — Brady, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention organization, responded today to President Trump’s apparent shuttering of the landmark White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The office – which opened in September 2023 under the leadership of President Biden – was responsible for managing a first-ever coordinated federal response to mass shootings and community violence, implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and developing a whole-of-government approach to protect Americans from gun violence. 

While gun violence in the U.S. surged under President Trump’s first term, the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention led a cross-agency public health approach to preventing gun violence. This contributed to a significant drop in the proliferation of unserialized and untraceable ghost guns, the largest-ever decrease in the homicide rate, and historic funding for Community Violence Intervention (CVI) programs. 

Brady President Kris Brown issued the following statement:

“In his inaugural address, President Trump stated his commitment to keeping Americans safe. But now – less than 24 hours later – he’s gutting the federal government’s ability to respond to gun crime and mass shootings. 

The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention wasn’t about politics – it was about strengthening the government’s ability to protect Americans (more than 300 of whom are shot every single day) from guns. By shuttering it, Trump is putting the interests of the gun lobby above our kids, our communities, and our country.

President Trump campaigned on “make America safe again.” But these words are empty without action on guns. Trump’s decision today – coupled with the release of gun-wielding domestic terrorists back on our streets – will make all of us less safe. He must immediately reverse course.”

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention achieved the following: 

• Created America's first federal Gun Violence Emergency Response Team, bringing together the FBI, FEMA, and multiple federal agencies to respond to mass shootings
• Coordinated implementation of over 40 executive actions on gun violence - more than any previous administration
• Helped drive a 13.5% reduction in nationwide homicides in 2023 - the steepest decline in American history
• Supported ATF in shutting down 644 dangerous rogue gun dealers
• Worked with states and local governments to distribute nearly $200 million in Community Violence Intervention funding
• Implemented enhanced background check systems that stopped over 500 illegal gun purchases