NCJ Number
187388
Date Published
March 2001
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted an investigation between late October 2000 and February 2001 that demonstrated the difficulties law enforcement officials have in preventing the illegal purchase of firearms.
Abstract
Acting in an undercover capacity and using counterfeit identification, GAO personnel attempted to purchase firearms in Virginia, West Virginia, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona, States that relied on instant background checks and did not require fingerprinting or a waiting period for firearm purchases. Firearms were purchased in these States using counterfeit driver's licenses. The GAO found instant background checks did not positively identify firearms purchasers. Rather, they were negative checks that could not ensure a prospective firearms purchaser was not a felon or other prohibited person whose receipt and possession of a firearm would be unlawful. In Virginia, the additional step of requiring a State criminal history check was also a negative check. Findings of the undercover operations are discussed in the context of the Brady Act requirement for instant background checks and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regulations implementing the Brady Act. 14 footnotes and 5 photographs