Buckeye Reporter

Joe Biden's stance on violent crime rates has varied, depending on his audience. He employs two different data sources to present contrasting messages.

When aiming to reassure voters about community safety and secure reelection, Biden references FBI data. Conversely, when addressing gun control advocates or promoting an "assault weapon" ban, he cites mass-shooting statistics from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA).

The GVA, which collects more than just mass-shooting data, is often criticized for its broad definition of a mass shooting. According to the GVA, any incident where four or more people are killed or wounded with a firearm qualifies as a mass shooting. This definition includes gang-related and drug-related shootings that the FBI excludes. For instance, in 2019, the GVA reported 417 mass shootings compared to the FBI's 30.

Mark Walters, a nationally syndicated talk radio host who identified this trend in Biden's messaging, commented: “Crime is either up or it’s down, but Joe wants to have it both ways, depending upon who he’s talking to.”

Since taking office, various types of shooting deaths tracked by the GVA have increased significantly under Biden's administration. These include willful and accidental deaths, mass shootings, child fatalities (ages 0-11 and 12-17), unintentional shootings, and suicides by firearms.

In an editorial published on May 14, 2023 by USA TODAY titled “President Biden: I’m doing everything I can to reduce gun violence,” Biden advocated for more Red flag laws and universal background checks while calling on Congress to ban assault weapons and standard-capacity magazines. He cited GVA data claiming over 650 mass shootings and well over 40,000 deaths due to gun violence in the year following the Buffalo tragedy.

Biden has consistently used GVA data throughout his presidency in speeches and written statements. When announcing the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention last May, his staff cited GVA figures stating there had been 500 mass shootings and 118 firearm-related deaths per day.

However once national polls indicated potential difficulties for Biden's reelection campaign due to rising violent crime concerns among voters; his messaging shifted towards highlighting decreases in crime based on FBI data.

On March 19th President Biden stated: “FBI released data showing that crime declined across nearly every category in 2023.” He further noted significant reductions including one of lowest rates for all violent crimes within fifty years along with sharpest decrease recorded historically regarding murder rates .

Similarly ,a June10th statement highlighted first quarter results indicating substantial drops across multiple categories such as murders decreasing by26%, robberies almost18%and overall violent crimes reducing15%.Biden attributed these improvements directly towards administrative efforts involving increased policing measures alongside collaborative community partnerships aimed at removing illegal firearms off streets .

Notably absent from official communications were mentions regarding Crime Prevention Research Center findings indicating major cities like Chicago Los Angeles New York ceased submitting their respective datasets contributing towards skewed lower overall statistics reported federally . Additionally omitted was acknowledgment surrounding29states adopting permitless concealed carry policies potentially influencing observed declines if validated through comprehensive analysis .

Lee Williams serves as chief editor for Second Amendment Foundation Investigative Journalism Project .

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