How Criminals Get Guns: Research

Title: ATF Firearms Trace Data Reports, 2007

Publication data: May 9, 2008

What does it say?  This limited release of tracing data identifies, for each state, the top 15 source states for guns recovered in crime.

How can I use it?  Your state's report will allow you to calculate the number and percent of guns recovered in crime that come from gun dealers in your state vs. other states.  States with strong gun laws tend to do a better job than weak gun law states of stopping the diversion of guns from retail sale to the illegal market.

The data can be used to show legislators that more needs to be done to stop diversion of guns from retail sale into the illegal market.

Citation: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, ATF Firearms Trace Data Reports, 2007, online at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/trace_data/index.htm.


Title: Inside Straw Purchasing: How Criminals Get Guns Illegally

Publication date: April 15, 2008

What does it say? This report from the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition details 12 specific ways that some licensed gun dealers sell handguns to illegal traffickers through straw purchases.  The report is based on interviews with witnesses to gun trafficking and public reports and court documents. The twelve ways are: 

• Traffickers picked "easy" stores
• Straw purchasers ("straws") paid in drugs and money
• Some dealers sell to straw purchasers who know nothing about guns
• Most straw purchases are done with the trafficker in the store
• Straws buy multiple guns per visit (often the same model of cheaper guns)
• Some salesmen are willing to sell despite suspicions
• Some dealers coach customers on straw purchasing
• Questioning a straw can prevent an illegal sale
• Many stores recognize and reject straw sales
• Employees lack training on spotting straw purchases
• Trafficking guns across state lines is common
• Traffickers make a big profit on cheap guns.

How can I use it?  Send this publication to your elected officials, law enforcement leaders, and other decision-makers in your community.  Ask the mayor of your city to join Mayors Against Illegal Guns.  You can see which mayors have already signed on to the coalition by clicking here. 

Title: Taking a Stand: Reducing Gun Violence in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations from the IACP Great Lakes Summit on Gun Violence

Publication date: September 19, 2007

What does it say? This report from the International Association of Chiefs of Police highlights 39 recommendations to reduce gun violence.  The recommendations include universal background checks, gun dealer licensing, limits on bulk sales of handguns, repeal of the Tiahrt amendment, a federal assault weapons ban, state lost and stolen gun reporting, and more money for ATF to fight gun violence. 

How can I use it? The study should be cited in materials, speeches, press interviews, etc. to emphasize that gun violence prevention advocates support what law enforcement says it needs to combat gun violence.  Conversely, the gun lobby, by opposing common sense gun laws, is standing in opposition to law enforcement.  Click here to see a planning guide summarizing the report's recommendations.

Citation: International Association of Chiefs of Police, Taking a Stand: Reducing Gun Violence in Our Communities: Report and Recommendations from the IACP Great Lakes Summit on Gun Violence (Washington, DC: 2007)


Title: How Cities Can Combat Illegal Guns and Gun Violence

Publication date: October 23, 2006

What does it say? This publication provides detailed policy and program ideas to combat illegal guns.  The document focuses on three areas: 1) illegal gun trafficking, 2) illegal gun carrying, and 3) using technology to prevent gun violence. The interventions covered include how to identify traffickers, prevent gun dealers from diverting guns to criminals, strategic anti-gun trafficking enforcement, advocacy for laws to the increase the cost of gun trafficking, personalized guns, and ballistics identification.

How can I use it? This publication can be used as an outreach tool to mayors, other elected officials, law enforcement, and the general public.  Write a quick letter to your mayor or elected official letting him or her know that you care about gun violence prevention and enclose this document as a resource for action steps. Print copies for tabling at fairs and other outreach events for people to pick up.  Bring copies to meetings with law enforcement.

Citation: DW Webster, JS Vernick, SP Teret, Center for Gun Policy and Research, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, How Cities Can Combat Illegal Guns and Gun Violence (October 2006)