Clueless: The Misuse of Batf Firearms Tracing Data

Michigan State University Detroit College of Law Review, Vol. 1999, pp. 171-80

10 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2005 Last revised: 5 Dec 2008

See all articles by David B. Kopel

David B. Kopel

University of Wyoming College of Law - Firearms Research Center; Independence Institute; Cato Institute; Denver University - Sturm College of Law

Abstract

Sometimes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms traces the registered sales history of a gun which was used in a crime, or which has been seized by the police. Traced guns are not representative of the broader universe of crime guns. Accordingly, drawing public policy conclusions based on tracing data is unwise.

Keywords: firearms tracing, BATF, BATFE

JEL Classification: K14, K42

Suggested Citation

Kopel, David B., Clueless: The Misuse of Batf Firearms Tracing Data. Michigan State University Detroit College of Law Review, Vol. 1999, pp. 171-80, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=742708

David B. Kopel (Contact Author)

University of Wyoming College of Law - Firearms Research Center ( email )

United States

HOME PAGE: http://firearmsresearchcenter.org/

Independence Institute ( email )

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Denver, CO 80203
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HOME PAGE: http://www.davekopel.org

Cato Institute ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://www.cato.org/people/david-kopel

Denver University - Sturm College of Law ( email )

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Denver, CO 80208
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.davekopel.org

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