Staff Reports
The Justice Department recently released new data showing that more illegally obtained guns are being trafficked through online sources such as Facebook, TikTok, and Tinder than at gun shows or flea markets. The report studied over 8,000 gun trafficking cases from 2017 to 2021, revealing that private person-to-person sales without background checks or straw purchases to obtain guns for prohibited individuals were the most common sources of illegally obtained firearms.
Stolen weapons and “ghost” guns – untraceable firearms manufactured outside of the official industry – were also identified as growing sources of illegal guns. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland claims that these black-market guns are increasingly being found at crime scenes, leading to concerns about public safety.
More guns are now trafficked to criminals through online sources such as Facebook, TikTok or Tinder than are trafficked at gun shows or flea markets, according to new Justice Department data that argues the marketplace for illegally obtained weapons is… https://t.co/2ppmXq3ZpS
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 15, 2024
The timing of the report’s release coincided with the Biden administration’s announcement of a new regulation to expand background checks for gun sales. The rule seeks to broaden the scope of individuals considered firearms dealers, reaching beyond traditional gun store operators to include those operating through print ads, at gun shows, and in the online space.
According to the data, a small percentage of trafficking cases involved weapons sold through online markets and social media platforms, including TikTok, Tinder, and WhatsApp. Gun show sales played a minor role in trafficked firearms, challenging the narrative pushed by gun control activists. Gun rights advocates argue that a large percentage of individuals obtaining trafficked guns have no felony convictions, implying that background checks may not have prevented them from acquiring firearms.
The report also highlighted that unlicensed dealers and straw purchasers were the most common sources of illegal guns, as opposed to firearms stolen from licensed dealers or corrupt licensed gun dealers. Additionally, more than half of trafficking cases involved machine guns or conversion devices to make semi-automatic weapons operate like automatic weapons.
While the average number of firearms trafficked per case was 16, most cases actually involved five or fewer weapons. Gun control activists emphasized the need for solutions to address the growing problem of gun trafficking in the United States. Conversely, gun rights advocates raised concerns about potential targeting of individuals and infringement on Second Amendment rights.
Overall, the release of this report has sparked a renewed discussion on gun trafficking and the measures needed to address the evolving challenges in preventing illegal gun sales.
