Bob Scales Senior Policy Analyst Office for Policy and Management
Crime Analyst ATF Crime Gun Traces Multiple Sales Stolen Firearms Police Incident Reports Criminal History State DOL Handgun Sales Handgun Transfers Crime Gun Data System
How Do Criminals Get Their Guns? Licensed Dealers Licensed Dealers Straw Purchasers Straw Purchasers Gun Shows Gun Shows Theft Theft Friends & Family Friends & Family Unlicensed Sellers Unlicensed Sellers Black Market Black Market
State DOL Firearms Database County Licensed Dealers Active in 2004 Total Handgun Sales in 2004 King19611,910 Pierce1096,533 Snohomish1034,503
Location of Dealers of Seattle Crime Guns Jan 2000-March ,064 Gun Traces
Crime Guns with Time-to-Crime Less than 3 Years Dealer Location 551 Guns
Gun Dealers with Highest Number of Seattle Crime Gun Traces Jan 2000 to Nov 2005
Dealer Handgun Sales Leading to Seattle Crime Gun Traces
Characteristics of Gun Crimes in Seattle ATF Crime Gun Trace Information
Type of Guns Used in Crimes in Seattle Jan 2000 to Mar ,064 Guns
Gender of Crime Gun Purchasers & Possessors
Gender of Purchasers of Crime Guns from Local Dealers
Residence of Crime Gun Purchasers & Possessors
Age of Crime Gun Purchasers 1,677 Purchasers
Age of Crime Gun Purchasers Dealer A
Age of Crime Gun Purchasers Dealer B
Age of Crime Gun Possessors 1,526 Incidents
Age of Crime Gun Possessors Domestic Violence - 91 Incidents
Case Example – Using Crime Gun Trace Data Juvenile used gun in assault Juvenile used gun in assault Police submitted trace to ATF Police submitted trace to ATF Gun traced to woman who bought it on the same day of the assault Gun traced to woman who bought it on the same day of the assault ATF requested DOL information on woman’s other handgun purchases – She bought a second handgun on the same day ATF requested DOL information on woman’s other handgun purchases – She bought a second handgun on the same day Woman arrested and charged in federal court Woman arrested and charged in federal court Woman said she threw the guns in the garbage Woman said she threw the guns in the garbage
Case Example – Using Gun Purchase Data ATF asked State DOL for individuals with highest numbers of handgun purchases ATF asked State DOL for individuals with highest numbers of handgun purchases Top individual bought over 160 guns in 2005 Top individual bought over 160 guns in 2005 He was found to be selling guns at gun shows He was found to be selling guns at gun shows Many individuals purchase large numbers of firearms each year Many individuals purchase large numbers of firearms each year ATF sends out letters or visits individuals ATF sends out letters or visits individuals
Regional Cooperation and Data Sharing Police agencies must trace all crime guns recovered Police agencies must trace all crime guns recovered Police and ATF share information and coordinate investigation efforts Police and ATF share information and coordinate investigation efforts State or Federal prosecution of gun traffickers State or Federal prosecution of gun traffickers