Bureau of Justice Assistance

About the author: The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. The bureau's goals are to reduce and prevent crime and improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Federal programs that target illegal firearms trafficking have been shown to reduce gun violence. These programs use three components. First, federal firearms licensees are notified about local regulations and are inspected for compliance. Second, several states have formed task forces that investigate the illegal sale, use, or acquisition of firearms. The final component includes a program that uses innovative projects, including a database program and a public information campaign, to reduce the level of illegal arms trafficking. A significant number of arrests and convictions have been...