The transfer of firearms across state lines negates the efforts of officials trying to keep guns out of their cities and state. Most of these guns have been stolen or straw purchased. Advocates say interstate trafficking flourishes because states regulate firearm sales differently, and there is no federal limitation on the number of guns a person may purchase at one time. At least half a million firearms are stolen each year and more than half of these stolen guns are handguns, many of which are then sold illegally. Our ATF found that 1% of federally licensed firearms dealers were responsible for selling nearly 60% of the guns found at crime scenes and traced to dealers. Gun safety advocates say that gun traffickers, for their own selfish gain, provide deadly weapons to criminals at the expense of law-abiding citizens. They say this crime is largely responsible for the violence in many of our cities.

The 2022 Safer Communities Act allows gun trafficking and straw purchasing to be subject to criminal and civil penalties, including the seizure of property used in the offense. Advocates now warn of the rising threat of illegal machinegun conversion devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic ones, increasing gun violence and making it easier for criminals to acquire military-style firepower. They say a federal strategy for detection, seizure, and tracing of these devices, and better coordination between agencies is needed, as is reporting on trafficking to curb their importation and domestic production.

Pending Legislation: H.R.2105 - Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Sean Casten (IL)
Status: House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
Chair: Rep. August Pfluger (TX)