Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 12 attorneys general, is calling on members of Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking from the U.S. to Caribbean countries. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress today outlining several measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking and violence in the Caribbean.
“The proposals we are endorsing today offer commonsense solutions to help stem the tide of illegal guns flowing into Caribbean countries from the U.S.,” Raoul said. “Without action, firearms will continue to be imported illegally, increasing instability and further jeopardizing the safety of millions who call the Caribbean home. I will continue to work to address gun violence in all its forms and advocate for laws that address firearm trafficking wherever it occurs.”
In their letter, Raoul and the coalition highlight how guns smuggled into the Caribbean from the U.S. have surged in recent years and contribute significantly to gun violence in those countries. The letter highlights a 2023 United Nations report indicating that the U.S. has been a principal source of firearms and ammunition in Haiti, leading to increased firearm and drug trafficking, benefiting gangs and their backers who have taken advantage of the country’s deteriorating security situation. The situation is also making it more difficult for international agencies to provide lifesaving humanitarian aid. In addition, the Jamaican Security Ministry estimates that at least 200 guns are trafficked from the U.S. into Jamaica each month. Jamaica currently has one of the highest homicide rates per capita based on countries with reliable statistics. The coalition also highlights the likelihood that increased violence in the Caribbean will lead to more people seeking shelter in the U.S.
The coalition outlines several measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking into the Caribbean, including ensuring inspectors at American ports have enough resources for inspections and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act. The CATCH Act would provide state and federal governments with more information about gun trafficking into the Caribbean and determine which anti-gun trafficking methods are working.
In addition, Raoul and the coalition are asking Congress to ensure that Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has sufficient funding to inspect federal firearms licensees responsible for a disproportionate number of firearms traced after being used in crimes in countries in the Caribbean. They are also requesting briefings from multiple federal agencies about their ongoing efforts against shipments of guns from America to countries in this region.
The brief is part of Attorney General Raoul’s broader efforts against gun violence which include creating a state-of-the-art crime-gun tracing database called Crime Gun Connect for Illinois law enforcement; collaborating with local law enforcement on combating gun trafficking; prosecuting multi-county gun trafficking offenses; increasing awareness about Illinois’ red flag law; addressing gaps within Illinois’ firearms licensing system; prosecuting individuals who lie on FOID card applications; partnering with NTAC on violence prevention training programs; advocating for stronger regulation against 3D-printed guns/ghost guns both federally & statewide (including defending related rules/laws); supporting victims' service providers around Illinois through his Violence Prevention & Crime Victim Services Division.
Joining Raoul's call were attorneys general from California, Connecticut, District Of Columbia Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota New Jersey New York Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont.