Originally Posted by
nkanofolives
So by 2015, gun deaths are set to surpass car accident fatalities. There are many factors are influencing this number including high gas prices, which equals less driving, and there are much safer cars on the road. Mass shootings are in the news...
Now, anti-gun folk and even moderates are calling for new legislation on gun control. I know I am preaching to the choir here on my disagreement with said proposed legislation as it is more or less feel good, reactionary legislation and fails to address the real, underlying issues behind mass shootings (mental health being a primary issue, and the fact that criminals are going to do what criminals do, no matter how many laws there are on the books).
One of the items up for discussion and possible ban is the private sale of guns (aka, the gun show loophole). So here is my question:
Are a significant number of gun crimes committed by people who can legally own, and have legally purchased their weapons privately from another gun owner?
I have tried searching for an answer for this and have not found any specific stats that can definitively answer this question.
I suspect the answer is “it’s awfully low,” but I would like to find hard stats.