Gun trafficking is the illegal diversion of firearms from the legal market into the black market, often across state or national borders

. This illicit trade fuels violent crime, supports criminal organizations, and poses a significant threat to public safety and national security. 

Methods of Gun Trafficking

Traffickers use various channels to obtain and move firearms illegally: 

• Straw Purchases: This is a common tactic where a person legally eligible to buy a gun purchases it on behalf of someone who is prohibited from owning one or who wants to conceal their identity.
• Unlicensed Sellers: Federal law does not require background checks for private sales by unlicensed individuals in many states, providing a loophole for criminals to acquire weapons.
• Corrupt Dealers: A small number of Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) knowingly engage in illegal sales, selling firearms without proper checks or record-keeping.
• Theft: Firearms are stolen from licensed dealers and private gun owners, then enter the illegal market.
• Ghost Guns: The trafficking of firearm components, including untraceable, unserialized “ghost guns” and those produced via 3D printing, is an increasing challenge for law enforcement. 

Trafficking Patterns and Corridors

• Interstate Trafficking: Guns often flow from states with weaker gun safety laws to states with stronger regulations. Major corridors include the “Iron Pipeline” along the East Coast (I-95) and flows from states like Texas, Georgia, and Arizona to other states.
• International Trafficking: The United States is a primary source for firearms trafficked to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, where they are used by cartels and violent gangs.
• Concealment Methods: Traffickers use methods such as modifying vehicles with hidden compartments, disassembling weapons to fit in backpacks, and using commercial shipments to evade detection. 

Government Response and Regulation

Federal agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are responsible for investigating and disrupting gun trafficking networks. Key efforts include: 

• Prosecution: The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 created new federal criminal offenses specifically for firearms trafficking and straw purchasing, leading to hundreds of charges.
• Strike Forces: The Department of Justice launched five gun trafficking strike forces in high-risk areas to enhance coordination with local law enforcement.
• International Cooperation: U.S. agencies partner with international organizations like INTERPOL and the UN to share information and coordinate investigations across borders. 

Reporting Illegal Activity

Members of the public can help combat gun trafficking by reporting suspicious activity. Anonymous tips can be submitted to law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, via their website or tip lines.