How Many Guns Are Traced to Crimes in West Virginia

July 28, 2022

Mountaineer News

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Crimes committed with firearms - particularly homicide - are a growing problem in the United States. Over 19,000 people were murdered with a gun nationwide in 2020, up 35% from the previous year. These murders were on top of the more than 100,000 cases of aggravated assault and 43,000 cases of robbery involving guns.

Many of the guns used in these crimes were reported by local law enforcement to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for tracing to aid in crime investigation and criminal prosecution. All told, the ATF traced nearly 390,000 firearms in 2020 alone.

Guns that are traced by the ATF are typically those found at a crime scene - and that either have been used, or are suspected to have been used, to commit a crime - though it is important to note that not all firearms used in a crime are traced.

In West Virginia, the ATF traced a total of 2,181 firearms in 2021 - or 120.7 for every 100,000 people, the 22nd most among states.

The largest share of guns reported to the ATF in the state - 545 in total - were chambered for 9mm ammunition. The second most common firearm type was .22 caliber, with 348 traced by the ATF.