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New federal initiative takes aim at illegal guns

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CLEVELAND — A nationwide plan targeting gun violence has been launched nationwide. It’s a new initiative aimed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

“Our firearms-related prosecutions are at an all-time high. Project Guardian and its emphasis on using all avenues to identify those who wish to illegally possess firearms and endanger our neighbors and communities, will complement these efforts and help to focus our resources on those posing the greatest threat to our families, friends, and neighbors,” said U.S. Attorney of the Northern District, Justin Herdman.

“Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms,” said Herdman.

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

  • Coordinated Prosecution.
  • Enforcing the Background Check System.
  • Improved Information Sharing.
  • Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials.
  • Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination.