The past year has seen continued calls for policing reform by progressive groups — but the issue of gun control is one where progressives and police have frequently found common ground.
For example, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has been a “strong supporter” of banning assault weapons, according to one of the group’s position papers, as well as the creation of a national registry for people convicted of violent gun crimes.
Police experts have pointed to the fact that officers are often on the receiving end of gunfire from suspects possessing illegal weapons as a reason for their support of stricter gun control laws.
“Law enforcement officers know exactly how dangerous it is to work in a society in which gun ownership is so widespread, and they know the toll gun violence takes on individuals and communities,” said Rosa Brooks, professor at Georgetown Law Center and author of the new book “Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City.”
In their letter to the Senate supporting the nomination, the National Black Police Association cited Chipman as “an expert advising organizations at the forefront of gun violence prevention” and highlighted his work advising policy makers and testifying before Congress on firearms legislation.
— Josh Campbell and Paul LeBlanc in Law enforcement groups endorse Biden’s pick for ATF director ahead of confirmation hearing
