Black Market Firearms: How Criminals Obtain and Circulate Illegal Arms
According to the 2019 FBI study, 48% of criminals obtain their guns from the black market. But where do they get these firearms from in the first place? The answer is multifaceted, as criminals have numerous avenues of access to illegal arms. Unlike before, where criminals often smuggled in weapons in large quantities, such as drugs, the modern black market for firearms is more widespread and decentralized.
Smuggling and the Evolution of the Black Market
Criminals do not face geographical or regulatory boundaries when obtaining firearms. They exploit the easiest, least costly, and safest means to acquire weapons. In the past, submarines were used to smuggle drugs in massive quantities, and similarly, firearms are also finding their way into the hands of criminals through various illicit channels. The notion that taking guns away from law-abiding citizens and law enforcement can prevent criminals from obtaining them is misguided and oppressive. Criminals often use complex methods to obtain weapons, and effective solutions lie in comprehensive law enforcement and regulation rather than simply removing guns from the population.
Examples of Illicit Acquisition Methods
One prominent method of illicit acquisition involves theft and straw purchases. For instance, a friend’s wife left her purse containing a SIG 239 on the seat of her car in a less than desirable part of Atlanta while she briefly stopped to get a rare cut of meat. In the few minutes she was gone, someone smashed the window and stole the purse. Such incidents illustrate the vulnerability of firearms left unsecured. Additionally, many firearm owners fail to lock up their guns or leave them in their vehicles, making them easy targets for theft. Stolen firearms are subsequently sold to buyers on the black market.
Straw Purchasers and the Failings of the Regulatory System
Another critical aspect of the black market's continued expansion involves straw purchases, where individuals acquire firearms on behalf of others who are prohibited from owning them. In a case highlighted by a local gun shop in Cincinnati, a gun store sold 37 Browning Hi-Power pistols to a single woman. Local authorities discovered that her boyfriend was a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal record. This pattern of straw purchasing is common, with the same individuals using multiple aliases to acquire firearms, only to resell them to other felons.
Further examination of this case revealed that the woman’s boyfriend was involved in reselling the firearms to convicted felons, and six of the purchased firearms were found at crime scenes or on convicted felons within a fiscal quarter. The federal authorities traced the guns back to the woman and the store, which had their FFL revoked for this and other violations. However, the shop’s complicity and willingness to make substantial profits at the expense of public safety is alarming.
Furthermore, it is often challenging to prosecute straw purchasers. In many cases, the regulatory agencies and law enforcement units lack the resources or political will to pursue such cases, leaving the black market for firearms to continue thriving.
Conclusion
The issue of black market firearms is deeply rooted in the ease with which criminals can obtain and distribute illegal weapons. By understanding the flaws in current gun control and regulation, we can work towards more effective strategies to combat this menace. Addressing issues such as straw purchasing and securing firearms in the possession of law-abiding citizens are crucial steps in reducing the supply of illegal arms in the black market.