Limiting Bulk Sales of Handguns: 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 laws to limit bulk sales of handguns.   If you are doing press work or providing testimony on laws to limit bulk sales, this report provides excellent examples (see page 9) of the types of bulk sales that arm criminals.

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: Shady Dealings: Illegal Gun Trafficking From Licensed Gun Dealers

Publication Date: January 2007

What does it say? Previous research has documented that about one percent of the nation’s gun dealers account for almost 60 percent of guns recovered in crime.  This report describes how the diversion of guns from licensed dealers (FFLs) to the illegal market occurs and what can be done to stop it.  The report provides specific examples of how large-volume sales, repeat customers, in-store purchasing teams, multiple purchases of the same model gun, and dealer sales to traffickers at gun shows all add up to guns in criminals’ hands.

How can I use it? This report contains real-life examples of how limiting bulk sales, requiring gun dealer licensing, and requiring a Brady criminal background check for all sales would limit the supply of guns to criminals.  The report has a very easy to use appendix of case summaries, organized by large-volume sales, repeat customers, in-store purchasing teams, multiple purchases of the same model gun, and dealer sales to traffickers at gun shows.  These case summaries provide example material for testimony, fact sheets, and other materials.

Citation: BJ Siebel and ES Haile, Shady Dealings: Illegal Gun Trafficking From Licensed Gun Dealers (Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence: January 2007)