Independent gun shops in the United States are the primary suppliers of firearms trafficked to Mexico, providing 83% of crime guns recovered south of the border, according to a recent investigation. This alarming statistic reveals that independent dealers not only dominate the illicit trade but also supply the most dangerous weaponry, such as .50-caliber rifles that are significantly more likely to originate from smaller retailers than from chain stores.
The investigation, which combines court documents and seized gun data, highlights specific dealers like Zeroed In Armory and CDNN Sports for their roles in providing hundreds of firearms linked to violent incidents involving drug cartels. These findings draw attention to the broader implications of gun trafficking in exacerbating violence within Mexico and creating challenges at the U.S. border.
Read full story at theconversation.com
