Bill Overview
Title: Officer Ella Grace French Task Force Support Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows funds under the Project Safe Neighborhoods Block Grant Program to be used to support task forces that coordinate federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local efforts to investigate and disrupt illegal firearms trafficking and straw purchasing.
Sponsors: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: People living in areas affected by illegal firearms trafficking
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill is aimed at addressing illegal firearms trafficking and straw purchasing.
- Law enforcement agencies that work on task forces will be impacted as they receive support and funding.
- Communities affected by gun violence could see changes due to potentially reduced trafficking.
- Legal gun dealers may also be indirectly impacted by changes in illegal trafficking activities.
- The overall focus is on increasing coordination amongst federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement.
Reasoning
- The affected population primarily includes those living in areas with high illegal firearms trafficking, estimated around 3 million people in the US.
- Given the $3.5 million budget for year 1 and $24.5 million for 10 years, funding is limited to support coordination without addressing underlying causes of trafficking.
- Law enforcement task forces will benefit directly by receiving additional resources to tackle illegal firearms trafficking.
- Communities affected by firearms violence could experience indirect benefits if illegal trafficking decreases.
- The policy is unlikely to significantly impact those in areas with low incidence of illegal firearms trafficking.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the additional funding will help our task force coordinate better with federal agents.
- It's about time we received this support to tackle the rampant gun trafficking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might reduce gun violence over time if implemented effectively.
- Coordination can only do so much; we need community programs as well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Legal Firearms Dealer (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support anything that will curb illegal sales that tarnish our reputation.
- Worried about how this will be enforced. Hope it doesn't affect legal operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Federal Agent (New York, NY)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Coordination with local task forces is excellent; more funds will improve our effectiveness.
- This could disrupt some major illegal operations affecting urban areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Farmer (Rural Montana)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this policy will make any noticeable difference in my life.
- Gun issues are not a major concern in our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
School Teacher (Baltimore, MD)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We need a safer environment for our kids; hope this policy can help in some way.
- I'm skeptical about the real impact; it might take years to see change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful this policy will make a difference, but change often seems slow.
- We need more direct action to feel safer instantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It seems like a positive step, but I'm concerned about how effectively funds will be used.
- I support efforts that reduce illegal arms sales and violence.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Detroit, MI)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reducing gun trafficking could improve our neighborhood's safety, boosting local business.
- It's a gradual process; the funding is a start but needs more community focus.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these have indirect effects; coordination may reduce neighborhood tensions over time.
- Real change takes consistent support and funding beyond what is here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effective coordination of existing task forces across jurisdictions is critical for success.
- Administrative costs might fluctuate depending on how efficiently funds are reallocated.
- Enhancements in safety and reductions in gun violence could lead to indirect economic benefits not immediately captured.