By Michael Green, USCM Intern
February 6, 2006

Under the leadership of Elizabeth (NJ) Mayor J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, New Jersey, the Criminal and Social Justice Committee focused on actions needed to stop illegal gun trafficking and reduce youth violence. The special discussion was held at the request of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who said that youth gun violence is an “epidemic.” Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer added that gun violence, gangs and drugs are all related and everyone must work together to combat the entire issue.

Palmer said that cities cannot look to the federal government for help; the cities need to look within themselves for the answers. As Bollwage said, Congress has failed to reauthorize the assault weapon ban or to close the gun show loophole.

Josh Horwitz of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence gave a presentation on gun laws, trafficking statistics, and solutions to problems. The presentation outlined current federal gun laws including the 1994 Brady Bill which has stopped 120,000 gun sales nationally. 95 percent of the background checks are completed in less than two hours and most are done in two minutes. The problem is that 40 percent of gun sales do not have a background check. The majority of these occur at gun shows; the others come from theft and interstate trafficking. 80 percent of the guns used in violent crimes come from the 40% that are sold without a background check.

Horwitz offered a four point action plan to combat the epidemic of gun violence.

1. Do not wait for the federal government.

2. Collect your own data tracking statistics of gun dealers and trace guns used in crimes - the ATF can assist with this process.

3. Use the information gained to build support for policies that work including: comprehensive licensing and registration systems for dealers; implementation of theft and loss reporting systems; and creation of programs that emphasize safe storage of firearms.

4. Push U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute the illegal suppliers of firearms.

David Hagy, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, discussed the restructuring of anti-gang, anti-drug and violent crime programs into one program, coordinating a multi-stage effort to combat the inner-connected issues. He also encouraged mayors to work closely with their U.S. Attorneys through Project Safe Neighborhood which aims to increase federal prosecution of violent crimes.

Lew Raden of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms explained the technology and nationwide computer system used to trace all firearms that are used in violent crimes. The system called eTrace. eTrace (Electronic Tracing System) is an internet-based system that allows participating law enforcement agencies to submit firearm traces to the ATF National Tracing Center (NTC). Authorized users can receive firearm trace results via this same internet web site, search a database of all firearm traces submitted by their individual agency, and perform analytical functions.

Raden urged the mayors to make sure that their police departments are entering bullets used in crimes into the system.