Title: Issue Brief: The Movement of Illegal Guns Across the U.S.-Mexico Border

Publication Date: September 2010

What does it say?

When controlling for population, gun dealers in the border states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas each supply crime guns to Mexico at rates at least 17 times higher than any other state. 

Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas supply guns at more than 3 times the rate of the fourth border state, California.  Relatively lax gun laws in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas may contribute to this disparity.

The state of Wyoming contributes more crime guns per capita to Mexico than California.

How can I use it?

Use this study to advocate for laws to make it harder to traffic guns south to Mexico, including requiring background checks for all sales of guns, including those at gun shows.

Citation

Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Issue Brief: The Movement of Illegal Guns Across the U.S.-Mexico Border, September 2010