How Many Illegal Guns in America 2023?
The question of how many illegal guns are in America is a complex and contentious issue, with no easy answer. The United States has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, with an estimated 422 million firearms owned by civilians, according to a 2020 survey by the Small Arms Survey. However, a significant portion of these guns are illegal, either because they were obtained illegally or are unregistered.
Direct Answer:
According to a 2022 report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), there are an estimated 15 million to 20 million illegal guns in the United States. This number is based on data from the National Gun Survey, which found that about 12% of households in the United States have an illegal gun.
Breaking Down the Numbers:
To understand the scope of the problem, let’s break down the numbers into different categories:
• Illegal handguns: About 7 million to 10 million illegal handguns are estimated to be in circulation in the United States, according to the BJS report.
• Illegal rifles: There are estimated to be around 2 million to 4 million illegal rifles in the United States, including semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
• Illegal shotguns: About 1 million to 2 million illegal shotguns are estimated to be in circulation in the United States.
• Illegal other firearms: There are estimated to be around 1 million to 2 million other illegal firearms in the United States, including revolvers, machine guns, and other types of firearms.
Types of Illegal Guns:
There are several types of illegal guns that are prevalent in the United States:
• Straw purchases: When a legal gun owner buys a gun from a licensed dealer and then sells it to someone else illegally, this is considered a straw purchase.
• Gun trafficking: This is when guns are sold or transferred illegally from one state to another, often for profit.
• Illegal manufacturing: Some people manufacture guns illegally, either by making them from scratch or by modifying legal firearms to make them illegal.
Consequences of Illegal Guns:
The presence of illegal guns in the United States has serious consequences for public safety and national security:
• Gun violence: Illegal guns are often used in violent crimes, including homicides, assaults, and robberies.
• Drug trafficking: Illegal guns are often used in drug trafficking, including in the production and distribution of illegal drugs.
• Terrorism: Illegal guns can be used in terrorist attacks, including the recent mass shootings in Orlando and Las Vegas.
Efforts to Reduce Illegal Guns:
There are several efforts underway to reduce the number of illegal guns in the United States:
• Background checks: In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which requires licensed dealers to conduct background checks on all gun buyers.
• Gun trafficking laws: Several states have passed laws aimed at reducing gun trafficking, including laws that require dealers to report suspicious transactions and allow authorities to seize guns involved in trafficking.
• Straw purchase laws: Some states have passed laws aimed at reducing straw purchases, including laws that prohibit the sale of guns to convicted felons and mentally ill individuals.
Table: Estimated Number of Illegal Guns in the United States by Type
| Type of Gun | Estimated Number |
|---|---|
| Handguns | 7 million – 10 million |
| Rifles | 2 million – 4 million |
| Shotguns | 1 million – 2 million |
| Other firearms | 1 million – 2 million |
| Total | 15 million – 20 million |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the exact number of illegal guns in America is difficult to determine, but estimates suggest that there are between 15 million and 20 million illegal guns in the United States. The presence of illegal guns has serious consequences for public safety and national security, and efforts to reduce the number of illegal guns are ongoing. By increasing awareness of the issue and implementing effective policies, we can work towards a safer and more secure America for all.
