Widespread Gun Trafficking Exposed: The Role of Straw Purchasers

Tue Mar 24 2026 21:04:33 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A damning report by Everytown for Gun Safety uncovers how guns trafficked from Southern states contribute to crime in cities with strict gun laws. Key insights reveal the significant impact of straw purchasers in this illegal trade.

A report by Everytown for Gun Safety highlights a disturbing trend of guns procured through straw purchases, illustrating how these weapons are trafficked from the South to cities with strict regulations. The study details various cases of gun violence linked to firearms bought by individuals on behalf of those prohibited from owning them. This practice raises urgent questions about the responsibility of licensed gun sellers and state initiatives to combat this growing issue.

A shooting in Boston. A carjacking in Washington, D.C. A robbery in New York. All were carried out with guns that were among hundreds bought in the South and trafficked north to cities with some of the nation’s strictest firearms laws, according to court documents gathered by the group Everytown for Gun Safety.

The group’s new report illuminates a key way that guns go from legitimate store shelves to crime scenes: people, known as straw purchasers, buy weapons legally and resell them on the black market. The report traces more than 250 guns bought over the course of three years from nearly two dozen stores in the Academy Sports + Outdoors chain, one of several gun sellers where convicted straw purchasers acquired firearms.

Despite the lack of direct accusations against Academy Sports, advocates emphasize that such cases highlight significant red flags that licensed dealers often ignore as firearms flow into the hands of individuals prohibited from ownership. Emails seeking comment from Academy Sports' corporate representatives have gone unanswered as of Tuesday.

The Bigger Picture of Firearms Trafficking

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has identified tens of thousands of guns trafficked, revealing major pathways from Southern states with loose regulations to stricter locales. Less than 30% of trafficked firearms have been retrieved in a different state than their purchase origins since 2017, suggesting local law enforcement has a role in countering firearm trafficking.

A Case Study on Academy Sports

Everytown lawyers, monitoring cases against straw purchasers, noted repeated instances involving Academy Sports. While none implicate the store in wrongdoing, it previously settled for $2.5 million relating to guns sold that ended up in criminal hands. Instances like a man purchasing over 100 firearms for resale in stricter states reveal the serious implications of unregulated sales.

Indicators of Trafficking

Everytown also identified red flags, such as bulk purchases and cash transactions, that might indicate trafficking. Former ATF officials assert that gun sellers must actively prevent suspicious sales to uphold public safety.