Purchase of Multiple Firearms as a Risk Factor for Criminal Gun Use: Implications for Gun Policy and Enforcement

Author: Koper, Christopher S.
Publication: Criminology & Public Policy
Topics: Crime Law Enforcement Local State Supply Surveillance/Data Collection
Keywords: Crime Prevention GUN control Law Enforcement One-Gun-A-Month PURCHASING
Bibliographic information +

Data from the Maryland State Police registry of handgun sales from 1990 to September 1996 were linked to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) database in an investigation of the role of multiples sales in supplying guns to criminals. Guns sold in multiple sales accounted for 25% of guns later recovered by law enforcement agencies. Guns sold in multiple sales in Maryland were roughly 25% more likely than those sold in single sales to be recovered by police in Washington, D.C.