Fast and Furious, or Slow and Steady? The Flow of Guns From the United States to Mexico

By Jessica A. Eby
In Print
May 13, 2014
1 Min read
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Abstract

This empirical legal study examines Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) trace data from crime guns seized in Mexico and traced back to their states of origin in the United States. It uses Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to analyze the relationship between U.S. states’ crime gun export rates to Mexico and state gun control laws. The presence of four state gun control laws—(1) limiting multiple sales, (2) requiring background checks for secondary transfers, (3) prosecuting straw purchasers, and (4) restricting the sale of assault weapons—significantly reduces a state’s export rate of crime guns to Mexico as compared to states that have none of these laws in place. This relationship persists and is significant even when controlling for the state’s distance from the border with Mexico.

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About the Author

Jessica A. Eby is a JD candidate, Class of 2014, at UCLA School of Law, enrolled in the David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy, the Critical Race Studies specialization, and the UCLA/RAND Empirical Legal Studies program.

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By uclalaw May 13, 2014
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