Gun Dealer Licensing: Research

Title: Guns for Gangs: Profile of a Rogue Gun Dealer: D’Andrea’s Gun Case, Stratford, Connecticut

Publication date:  November 2007

What does it say? This case study, based on court records of indictments, plea agreements, sentencing hearings, newspaper accounts and other sources from 1993 to 2007, documents that weak federal gun dealer licensing laws enabled corrupt Connecticut gun dealer Frank D’Andrea to make money arming extremely dangerous criminals for years, while at the same time helping the National Rifle Association sue (unsuccessfully) to overturn Connecticut’s assault weapons ban.   The report documents the horrific violent acts committed by people to whom D’Andrea regularly sold -- in bulk -- handguns, assault rifles and bulletproof vests, and the difficulty ATF had in rescinding his license to sell firearms because of weak laws. 

How can I use it? The press release plus the report are good hand-outs supporting the need for strong state and federal gun dealer licensing systems.   If you are doing press work or providing testimony on gun dealer licensing, this report provides compelling details about the problems with current regulation. 

Citation: J Lowy, DR Vice, JD Pennington.  Guns for Gangs: Profile of a Rogue Gun Dealer: D’Andrea’s Gun Case, Stratford, Connecticut  (Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence: November 2007)


Title: Regulation of firearm dealers in the United States: an analysis of state law and opportunities for improvement

Publication date: Winter 2006

What does it say? State licensing of gun dealers is an under-used tool to help curb the diversion of guns from the legal to the illegal market.  This study describes state dealer licensing laws currently on the books and recommends components to be included in state gun dealer licensing laws to increase their effectiveness, such as background checks on potential licensees, record keeping and retention, periodic inspection of dealers, mandatory theft reporting, store security requirements, and enforcement of the law.

How can I use it? This study can help state legislators and advocates formulate effective legislation on this topic.  The article includes a table summarizing current federal and state regulation of gun dealers, including the statute and whether or not each of the important components is required. 

Citation: JS Vernick, DW Webster, MT Bulzacchelli and JS Mair, "Regulation of firearm dealers in the United States: an analysis of state law and opportunities for improvement" Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics (Winter 2006)