The "Myth" of Gun Trafficking
Kleck cites researchers at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) who have demonstrated that “criminals obtain guns from a wide variety of largely interchangeable low‑volume sources” – not a handful of “bad apple” dealers. The study shows that criminals usually get their guns in one of three ways:
-- As a byproduct of thefts, primarily residential burglaries;
-- By buying guns one at a time from friends and relatives who neither regularly sell guns nor act as “straw purchasers” (legally qualified buyers who purchase guns for those prohibited from doing so)
-- If they have no criminal convictions, by lawfully buying guns from licensed dealers.
Kleck cites researchers at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) who have demonstrated that “criminals obtain guns from a wide variety of largely interchangeable low‑volume sources” – not a handful of “bad apple” dealers. The study shows that criminals usually get their guns in one of three ways:
-- As a byproduct of thefts, primarily residential burglaries;
-- By buying guns one at a time from friends and relatives who neither regularly sell guns nor act as “straw purchasers” (legally qualified buyers who purchase guns for those prohibited from doing so)
-- If they have no criminal convictions, by lawfully buying guns from licensed dealers.