The Limits of Crime-Gun Trace Data

The Limits of Crime-Gun Trace Data

A new article published by the University of Wyoming’s Firearms Research Center examines how ATF and California crime-gun trace data can be misinterpreted to imply wrongdoing by lawful firearm retailers.

The Limits of Crime-Gun Trace Data, authored by Jason A. Davis, C.D. “Chuck” Michel, and Anna M. Barvir, responds to recent reporting concerning Turner’s Outdoorsman and explains the important distinction between identifying a firearm’s prior retail source and establishing wrongdoing by the retailer.

The article discusses the limitations of crime-gun trace data and the importance of considering sales volume and other relevant context before drawing conclusions from raw trace numbers. A firearm trace does not, by itself, establish that a dealer violated the law, knew a firearm would later be misused, participated in a straw purchase, or contributed to the firearm’s eventual recovery.

The authors explain why trace data must be evaluated carefully and why investigative leads should not automatically be treated as evidence of criminal conduct.

Read the full article below.

The Limits of Crime-Gun Trace Data
Jason A. Davis, C.D. “Chuck” Michel & Anna M. Barvir
University of Wyoming Firearms Research Center

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