The Justice Department has released the third volume of the National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA), titled Firearm Trafficking Investigations, providing a detailed analysis of firearm trafficking investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) between 2017 and 2021.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the findings of the report, stating, "This report makes clear that black-market guns sold by unlicensed dealers without a background check are increasingly being found at crime scenes." He highlighted the department's proposed new rule under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to regulate gun dealers and conduct background checks, as well as the enforcement efforts to combat illegal gun trafficking and straw purchasing.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco commended the ATF's efforts, stating, "Thanks to the hard work of ATF, we now have fresh data and cutting-edge insights on the key drivers of illegal firearms trafficking." She underscored the importance of the report in guiding investigations and reducing gun violence.
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach emphasized the significance of the report, noting, "Americans need this data to understand this threat and to better address it." He highlighted the role of illegal firearms dealing in contributing to the flow of firearms into the black market and the impact on public safety.
The report revealed a shift in the types of trafficking channels used to divert firearms into the illegal market, with a decrease in investigations involving corrupt federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and an increase in cases of illegal, unlicensed firearm dealing by private individuals and straw purchasing. It also highlighted trends in intrastate and interstate trafficking, emphasizing the cross-jurisdictional nature of the issue.
Key findings from the study period included violations of federal law, the types of firearms trafficked, the demographics of traffickers, and the profile of end users of trafficked firearms. The report indicated that trafficked firearms were used in a significant number of shootings, homicides, attempted homicides, and aggravated assaults, with handguns being the most frequently trafficked type of firearm.
The NFCTA aims to provide a comprehensive examination of firearm commerce and trafficking, drawing on the expertise of ATF agents and other subject experts to address the complexities of illegal firearms trafficking in the United States.