Patterns of Acquisition: Gun Theft (From Armed and Considered Dangerous: A Survey of Felons and Their Firearms, P 193-207, 1986, James D Wright and Peter H Rossi, -- See NCJ-118888)

• NCJ Number: 118896
• Author(s): J D Wright; P H Rossi
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Aldine de Gruyter Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

A self-administered questionnaire completed by a sample of 1,982 inmates imprisoned in 10 States was used to determine respondents' acquisition of firearms through direct or indirect theft.

Abstract

One-third of the sample's most recent handguns were personally stolen by the felons themselves; an additional 14 percent were reported as "definitely stolen" weapons and another 24 percent as "probably stolen." Approximately one-half of the sample had stolen at least one gun in their criminal careers; those who had stolen at least one gun tended to have stolen fairly large numbers of them. Most of the guns stolen by the sample were not the primary targets of the thefts but were taken as part of a "loot." The guns were usually taken to sell or trade. Two-thirds of those who had ever stolen a gun kept at least one for their own personal use. Gun theft was most common among the more serious gun abusers. The sample had stolen an estimated 30,000 guns overall, with approximately 80 percent of the volume stolen by about one-tenth of the sample. The high-rate gun thieves tended to be drug dealers and users. Most gun thefts involved private residences or automobiles. 5 tables.