Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday, I introduced the Identifying Mass Shooters Act, which directs the scientific research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice - the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) - to collect, study, and analyze online content created by previous mass shooters. At the completion of the study, NIJ must submit its findings and recommendations to my colleagues and me in Congress so that we take informed, proactive steps to end these senseless acts of violence.

Often, mass shooters use social media and other online platforms to declare and explain their intent to commit a mass shooting through publicly displayed manifestos, blog posts, and social media posts (e.g. the Uvalde shooter, Parkland shooter, and Buffalo shooter). This legislation is my effort to ensure that all agencies, including law enforcement agencies, are communicating with one another and that Congress has the benefit of the Justice Department’s best thinking on the digital footprints left behind by previous mass shooters.

Mass shootings are not going to stop on their own, and therefore I am proud to take this step to protect innocent men, women, and children. My Identifying Mass Shooters Act already has 25 total cosponsors, and I will continue to call on my colleagues in Congress to join me in this fight to save lives.

Yours in service,

Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress