Texas Study Finds Murderers Ignored Existing Gun Laws

posted on October 31, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Exactly what can be learned by asking those who have committed murder with firearms how they got their guns? A lot, judging from a recent abc13.com report out of Houston—and most of it has nothing to do with further restricting the rights of law-abiding gun owners.

The radio station sent surveys to every killer who used a gun to murder someone in Harris County since 2014. It asked how they got their gun, what they paid, and how often, if ever, they went through a background check.

The interesting results included such facts as:

  • 90 percent of those surveyed received their gun on the black market. They either traded goods for the firearm or a friend gave them the gun;
  • 63 percent of the guns were stolen and the majority of them were given to the perpetrator for free;
  • 90 percent of the surveyors weren’t eligible to legally buy a gun because of past criminal convictions; and
  • 100 percent of the surveyors carried concealed despite failing to have a CCW permit.

It’s obvious that, at least in this case, these violent criminals had no interest in following current firearm laws. Of course, what criminals do?

Latest

Hawaiian in court illustration
Hawaiian in court illustration

Parting Shot | Hawaii Has Been Called Before the High Court

Once again, the state of Hawaii is attempting to nullify the Second Amendment within its borders.

Victories & Challenges As The Protection Of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act Turns 20

On October 26, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) into law. In an environment where those on the political left are more eager than ever to wage lawfare to achieve their policy goals, the PLCAA has proven invaluable to preserving the U.S. firearm industry and Americans’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

The Armed Citizen® December 16, 2025

Just south of Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 18, 2025, a hunter was hiking through thick timber early one morning when suddenly a male grizzly bear charged at him.

A Must-Read Brief from the DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief in Rhode v. Bonta, a challenge to California’s unconstitutional ammunition background check law.

How Gun-Control Groups Direct the Mainstream Media

Have you ever watched a movie about journalism? You know the genre: Clacking typewriters, babbling newsrooms, hard-bitten editors, intrepid reporters who refuse to take anything at face value.

Open Carry in California?

On January 2, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down California’s ban on open carry in most of the state. The panel decision was 2-1.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.