Justice Department’s Gun Violence Prevention Plan Widens Background Checks, Boosts Red Flag Programs

The plan aims to help law enforcement agencies share criminal and mental health history of people under 21 through the FBI’s background check system.

Democratic lawmakers gather as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announces the final vote count for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in the House of Representatives on June 24, 2022. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced plans on Sept. 26 to help law enforcement agencies share the criminal and mental health history of people under 21 through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

The DOJ has also developed resources to help small and rural law enforcement agencies deal with mass shootings.