Firearms Policies to prevent firearm trafficking

Measures to prevent firearms moving from the licit to the illicit market within the US can also reduce international trafficking E xcluding military conflicts, firearms are used in.200 000 deaths annually,1 including nearly 30 000 in the US alone,2 and 7–8 million new firearms are manufactured each year worldwide.3 Firearm manufacturers typically mar-ket their products through a network of licensed distributors and dealers, before the gun is sold to an individual buyer. Virtually every firearm used to commit a homicide or other violent crime was first purchased from a licensed dealer by someone deemed to be legally eligible. Typically, however, the individuals who use firearms to commit violent crimes are not the initial lawful purchasers, but have instead obtained firearms through an illicit market. The secondary market in firearms—which includes guns acquired from private individuals both legally and illegally—is largely unregulated, making it difficult to hold people who supply guns to criminals accountable for their actions. However a number of policies can be implemented to enhance accountabil-ity and thereby prevent violent injury and death