Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Florida: DOJ Study Shows That a "Gun-Show Loophole" Doesn't Exist

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

DATE:    February 25, 2020
TO:        USF & NRA Members and Friends
FROM:   Marion P. Hammer
  USF Executive Director
  NRA Past President

It has now been over a year since the DOJ issued a press release and the Report on where criminals acquire their crime guns.  Clearly, the Report did not fit the narrative that the media wanted to promote -- or you would have read or heard about it sooner.  It's now time for you to see it, use it and share it with those who need to know the facts. 

Be aware: the so-called "gun show loophole" is just another manufactured anti-gun fraud.  There is NO GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE. PERIOD.  

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice conducted a study of prison inmates.  Included in that study was the collection of data to show where prisoners get the guns they used in the commission of crimes.  The DOJ Press Release explains how the study was conducted.  The Pie Chart of DOJ Data distills the information and makes the results more clear.  The full DOJ Report gives more detail. 

THE BOTTOM LINE: 

Gun Shows accounted for 0.8% of firearms acquired by criminals, while Underground/Street purchases accounted for 43.2%. 

Simply put, LESS THAN 1% of crime guns were purchased at gun shows while almost half of all guns used in crimes were purchased illegally from the underground/street black market. 

Click Here for the DOJ Press Release  

Click Here for the Pie Chart of DOJ DATA  

Click Here for the DOJ Report on Crime Guns


https://www.nraila.org/media/2838/doj-press-release-on-firearms-use.pdf
 

https://www.nraila.org/media/2839/doj-data-pie-chart.pdf 

https://www.nraila.org/media/2840/doj-report-on-firearms-use.pdf

 

 

 

IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida gun show DOJ
TRENDING NOW
NRA Announces State Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Thursday, May 14, 2026

NRA Announces State Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Today, the National Rifle Association announced the filing of a state lawsuit challenging Virginia’s newly enacted bans on “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds.

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Today, April 23rd, Governor Spanberger Signed HB1525 and SB727/HB1524 into law. 

Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Oregon Incident Illustrates Obvious Flaws in Red Flag Laws

A recent case involving an Oregon man who was the subject of two “red flag” gun confiscation orders illustrates one of the many problems with the foolish policy.

A “Thought Experiment” That has Already Been Tried—And Failed

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

A “Thought Experiment” That has Already Been Tried—And Failed

Washington Post opinion columnist Megan McArdle recently wrote an article (paywall alert) exploring a “new” idea to combat violent crime where firearms are used.

Beyond Colorado: DOJ Lawsuits Herald a National Defense of the Second Amendment

News  

Monday, May 11, 2026

Beyond Colorado: DOJ Lawsuits Herald a National Defense of the Second Amendment

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and her newly hired brigade of Second Amendment attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division Second Amendment Section are clearly ready to work. 

UPDATE: Legislation Introduced to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

UPDATE: Legislation Introduced to Protect Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

The Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. Representative Mike Bost (R-IL-12) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), as well as Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), have reintroduced the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act ...

NRA Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Thursday, May 14, 2026

NRA Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s “Assault Firearm” and Magazine Bans

Today, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, Second Amendment Foundation, and two NRA members filed a lawsuit challenging Virginia’s newly enacted bans on “assault firearms” and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds.

Minnesota: Gun Control Wish List Fails In The House

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Minnesota: Gun Control Wish List Fails In The House

After seemingly having nine lives, or three to more precise, the Minnesota "gun control wish list" has finally been defeated.

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

Monday, May 4, 2026

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court to Hear the Case of Navy Veteran Patrick “Tate” Adamiak

The National Rifle Association joined the Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in ...

Virginia: Spanberger Doubles Down on Semi-Auto Ban, NRA Doubles Down on Lawsuits

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Doubles Down on Semi-Auto Ban, NRA Doubles Down on Lawsuits

On the night of May 14th, Governor Spanberger once again proved she has no concern for the 2nd Amendment by signing SB749/HB217 - legislation that bans certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.