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WEST VIRGINIA LEADER IN EXPORTED GUNS USED IN CRIMES |
| (08/13/2009) |
| Gun control advocates say West Virginia's per capita export rate of guns used in crime is higher than any state except Mississippi, according to an Associated Press story. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says that more than 800 guns recovered by police in other states in 2008 were traced back to West Virginia sellers. Most of the guns found in a number of states were possessed by individuals involved in felony crimes, with a considerable number connected to drug crimes. The Brady Report says in West Virginia, because of lax laws and poor law enforcement, it's easy to buy guns from WV dealers or at gun shows for use in illegal activities. Convicted felons, domestic violence abusers and other dangerous people can buy guns without criminal background checks. The largest number of guns were purchased in Charles Town and Charleston WV, but many smaller WV communities supplied the guns, including the Town of Spencer, where the BATF said 17 guns originated for use in criminal activity in several other states. The statistics likely represents a small segment of illegally purchased guns in WV used in crimes. Mississippi ranks highest in exporting guns that are later recovered by police, followed by West Virginia, Alabama, Virginia and South Carolina. Gun control foes say it's misleading to blame state laws for illegal guns. They argue that most guns used in crimes come from a tiny fraction of rogue dealers, further claiming that gun control laws are strong enough, but that enforcement is weak. See Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Report atf.gov
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