Gun control laws vary across the U.S., and five states and the District of Columbia currently impose a waiting period on prospective gun buyers. Waiting periods mandate that a specific amount of time must elapse between when a gun is purchased and when the buyer can possess it. Depending on the state, waiting periods range from three days to two weeks.
Designed to reduce the likelihood of an impulsive act of violence, waiting periods have been shown, in some studies, to reduce rates of firearm suicide by 7% to 11%, and gun-related homicides by about 17%. (Here is a look at the states where gun related crimes are surging.)Â
Though waiting periods may reduce gun violence to a degree, in reality, most firearms that wind up at crime scenes were purchased years prior. Among all known firearms linked to a crime in 2021, an average of 6.2 years has elapsed between the retail sale of the firearm and when it was recovered by law enforcement, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This measure, known as “time-to-crime,” can vary substantially from state to state, and these variations have meaningful implications.Â
Using data from the ATF, 24/7 Wall St. identified the average time-to-crime for firearms in each state. All time-to-crime measures are for firearms traced by the ATF in 2021. We also considered the number of firearm background checks conducted by the FBI in 2021. Background checks are a proxy for gun sales.Â
Among the 50 states, the average time between when a gun is initially purchased and when it is recovered by police – typically at a crime scene – ranges from less than five years to nearly 16 years. For any given firearm, the ATF considers a time-to-crime of less than three years a potential red flag for gun trafficking.Â
While the average time-to-crime in the U.S. is well over the three-year threshold, in a majority of states – 27 total – over half of all firearms linked to a crime in 2021 were sold at a retailer less than three years before the associated crime took place. Depending on the state, anywhere from 2% to 16% of firearms found at crime scenes were initially purchased within three months of the date of the crime. (Here is a look at the firearm calibers used the most to commit crimes in the U.S.)
Click here to see the states with the shortest time to crime for trafficked guns.
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Alabama
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.6 years (14th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.1% of all traced guns – 18th highest (903 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 34.1% of all traced guns – 20th highest (2,544 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.7% of all traced guns – 10th highest (4,378 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 946,271
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Alaska
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.3 years (10th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 7.8% of all traced guns – 9th lowest (47 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 20.6% of all traced guns – 2nd lowest (124 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 40.8% of all traced guns – 6th lowest (245 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 91,207
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Arizona
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.3 years (10th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 16.5% of all traced guns – the highest (1,658 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 39.5% of all traced guns – 2nd highest (3,981 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 61.1% of all traced guns – 2nd highest (6,153 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 563,763
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Arkansas
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.7 years (17th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.2% of all traced guns – 10th highest (384 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 35.6% of all traced guns – 12th highest (1,038 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.7% of all traced guns – 11th highest (1,708 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 288,706
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California
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.9 years (5th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 6.7% of all traced guns – 5th lowest (2,103 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 23.8% of all traced guns – 12th lowest (7,493 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 41.6% of all traced guns – 8th lowest (13,075 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,476,073
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Colorado
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.6 years (24th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 10.7% of all traced guns – 22nd lowest (609 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 28.3% of all traced guns – 22nd lowest (1,612 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 49.6% of all traced guns – 21st lowest (2,824 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 628,811
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Connecticut
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 9.1 years (4th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 8.2% of all traced guns – 12th lowest (93 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 24.3% of all traced guns – 14th lowest (275 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 40.3% of all traced guns – 4th lowest (456 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 277,250
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Delaware
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.6 years (25th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.5% of all traced guns – 16th highest (166 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 34.8% of all traced guns – 16th highest (463 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 56.8% of all traced guns – 16th highest (755 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 69,068
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Florida
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.3 years (24th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.3% of all traced guns – 17th lowest (2,636 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 28.0% of all traced guns – 21st lowest (7,960 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 49.7% of all traced guns – 22nd lowest (14,116 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,711,685
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Georgia
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.2 years (7th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.0% of all traced guns – 11th highest (2,283 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 37.1% of all traced guns – 6th highest (6,514 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 60.8% of all traced guns – 3rd highest (10,678 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 806,912
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Hawaii
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 16.0 years (the longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 1.8% of all traced guns – the lowest (01 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 5.3% of all traced guns – the lowest (03 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 10.5% of all traced guns – the lowest (06 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 17,707
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Idaho
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.9 years (18th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.2% of all traced guns – 15th lowest (104 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 23.9% of all traced guns – 13th lowest (272 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 46.4% of all traced guns – 16th lowest (527 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 273,762
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Illinois
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.6 years (15th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.5% of all traced guns – 23rd highest (1,673 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 34.2% of all traced guns – 19th highest (4,994 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 56.0% of all traced guns – 18th highest (8,186 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 8,474,505
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Indiana
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.3 years (9th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.6% of all traced guns – 8th highest (1,176 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 36.7% of all traced guns – 9th highest (3,175 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 60.2% of all traced guns – 6th highest (5,204 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,815,531
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Iowa
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.9 years (19th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.7% of all traced guns – 14th highest (269 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 34.6% of all traced guns – 18th highest (732 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 56.4% of all traced guns – 17th highest (1,195 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 266,678
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Kansas
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.2 years (22nd shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.3% of all traced guns – 18th lowest (322 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 27.4% of all traced guns – 20th lowest (949 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 49.9% of all traced guns – 23rd lowest (1,730 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 230,168
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Kentucky
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.1 years (3rd shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 16.3% of all traced guns – 2nd highest (923 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 36.9% of all traced guns – 7th highest (2,083 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.8% of all traced guns – 9th highest (3,319 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 3,848,061
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Louisiana
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.9 years (20th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.8% of all traced guns – 21st highest (1,325 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 34.6% of all traced guns – 17th highest (3,892 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 55.4% of all traced guns – 21st highest (6,227 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 401,345
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Maine
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.0 years (14th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.1% of all traced guns – 19th highest (45 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 29.0% of all traced guns – 24th lowest (108 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 46.8% of all traced guns – 18th lowest (174 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 129,193
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Maryland
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.8 years (7th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 6.5% of all traced guns – 4th lowest (432 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 22.2% of all traced guns – 7th lowest (1,471 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 41.1% of all traced guns – 7th lowest (2,724 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 267,753
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Massachusetts
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.1 years (13th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 6.9% of all traced guns – 7th lowest (142 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 23.5% of all traced guns – 11th lowest (485 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 42.1% of all traced guns – 9th lowest (870 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 259,248
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Michigan
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 4.7 years (the shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 15.6% of all traced guns – 3rd highest (1,639 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 44.0% of all traced guns – the highest (4,629 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 65.0% of all traced guns – the highest (6,844 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 970,990
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Minnesota
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.3 years (23rd shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.0% of all traced guns – 25th lowest (415 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 32.7% of all traced guns – 22nd highest (1,231 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 52.0% of all traced guns – 25th highest (1,955 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 945,299
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Mississippi
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.2 years (8th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 14.2% of all traced guns – 5th highest (583 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 36.8% of all traced guns – 8th highest (1,510 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 60.4% of all traced guns – 5th highest (2,477 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 323,319
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Missouri
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.0 years (2nd shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.3% of all traced guns – 25th highest (954 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 32.7% of all traced guns – 23rd highest (2,758 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 57.2% of all traced guns – 15th highest (4,828 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 634,191
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Montana
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.7 years (8th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 8.6% of all traced guns – 14th lowest (73 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 21.7% of all traced guns – 6th lowest (185 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 42.4% of all traced guns – 10th lowest (361 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 160,640
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Nebraska
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 7.7 years (17th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 8.2% of all traced guns – 13th lowest (146 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 24.5% of all traced guns – 15th lowest (434 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 44.9% of all traced guns – 14th lowest (795 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 90,676
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Nevada
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.5 years (12th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 15.0% of all traced guns – 4th highest (822 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 37.9% of all traced guns – 3rd highest (2,075 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 59.5% of all traced guns – 8th highest (3,263 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 186,578
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New Hampshire
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.3 years (12th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 8.0% of all traced guns – 11th lowest (44 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 23.4% of all traced guns – 10th lowest (129 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 43.4% of all traced guns – 13th lowest (239 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 151,853
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New Jersey
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 9.2 years (3rd longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 5.7% of all traced guns – 2nd lowest (180 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 20.8% of all traced guns – 3rd lowest (659 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 39.9% of all traced guns – 3rd lowest (1,265 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 223,437
New Mexico
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.3 years (25th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.2% of all traced guns – 17th highest (384 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 32.5% of all traced guns – 25th highest (1,020 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 55.3% of all traced guns – 22nd highest (1,735 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 194,989
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New York
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 9.5 years (2nd longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 5.9% of all traced guns – 3rd lowest (403 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 21.0% of all traced guns – 4th lowest (1,431 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 40.3% of all traced guns – 5th lowest (2,743 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 464,575
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North Carolina
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.0 years (21st shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.0% of all traced guns – 24th lowest (2,040 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 32.6% of all traced guns – 24th highest (6,030 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 55.7% of all traced guns – 20th highest (10,314 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 781,733
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North Dakota
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.8 years (20th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.2% of all traced guns – 16th lowest (55 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 27.3% of all traced guns – 19th lowest (163 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 48.7% of all traced guns – 20th lowest (291 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 80,546
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Ohio
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.2 years (6th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.6% of all traced guns – 15th highest (2,270 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 37.3% of all traced guns – 5th highest (6,712 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 59.7% of all traced guns – 7th highest (10,735 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 851,887
Oklahoma
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.6 years (23rd longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 10.1% of all traced guns – 21st lowest (439 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 28.4% of all traced guns – 23rd lowest (1,235 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 50.8% of all traced guns – 25th lowest (2,209 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 416,514
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Oregon
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.3 years (9th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 7.9% of all traced guns – 10th lowest (337 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 23.3% of all traced guns – 9th lowest (995 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 43.3% of all traced guns – 12th lowest (1,849 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 454,133
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Pennsylvania
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.7 years (22nd longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.0% of all traced guns – 20th highest (1,363 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 35.1% of all traced guns – 15th highest (3,969 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 54.6% of all traced guns – 24th highest (6,175 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,408,165
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Rhode Island
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.9 years (18th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.7% of all traced guns – 13th highest (65 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 35.4% of all traced guns – 14th highest (181 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 54.6% of all traced guns – 23rd highest (279 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 37,936
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South Carolina
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.3 years (11th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.4% of all traced guns – 9th highest (1,257 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 35.6% of all traced guns – 13th highest (3,336 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.6% of all traced guns – 12th highest (5,484 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 485,487
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South Dakota
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.9 years (19th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.6% of all traced guns – 22nd highest (66 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 29.6% of all traced guns – 25th lowest (168 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 50.2% of all traced guns – 24th lowest (285 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 106,881
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Tennessee
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.7 years (16th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.0% of all traced guns – 23rd lowest (1,372 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 32.9% of all traced guns – 21st highest (4,120 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 56.0% of all traced guns – 19th highest (7,008 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 964,512
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Texas
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.2 years (4th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.8% of all traced guns – 7th highest (5,343 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 35.6% of all traced guns – 11th highest (13,816 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.3% of all traced guns – 14th highest (22,578 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,980,753
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Utah
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 6.8 years (20th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.5% of all traced guns – 20th lowest (237 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 25.4% of all traced guns – 17th lowest (630 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 45.1% of all traced guns – 15th lowest (1,121 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 1,181,564
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Vermont
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 7.8 years (16th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 11.3% of all traced guns – 24th highest (22 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 25.3% of all traced guns – 16th lowest (49 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 46.9% of all traced guns – 19th lowest (91 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 51,549
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Virginia
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.5 years (13th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 12.9% of all traced guns – 12th highest (1,309 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 37.5% of all traced guns – 4th highest (3,809 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 60.5% of all traced guns – 4th highest (6,147 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 655,339
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Washington
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.8 years (6th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 6.8% of all traced guns – 6th lowest (288 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 21.3% of all traced guns – 5th lowest (906 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 39.9% of all traced guns – 2nd lowest (1,693 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 736,846
West Virginia
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 7.8 years (15th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 9.3% of all traced guns – 19th lowest (128 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 27.1% of all traced guns – 18th lowest (371 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 46.7% of all traced guns – 17th lowest (640 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 224,240
Source: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Wisconsin
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 5.2 years (6th shortest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 13.8% of all traced guns – 6th highest (839 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 36.6% of all traced guns – 10th highest (2,222 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 58.4% of all traced guns – 13th highest (3,550 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 785,856
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Wyoming
> Avg. time between firearm purchase and reported criminal use: 8.3 years (10th longest)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-mos. after purchase, 2021: 7.5% of all traced guns – 8th lowest (17 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 1-yr. after purchase, 2021: 22.8% of all traced guns – 8th lowest (52 total guns)
> Firearms used for crime less than 3-yrs. after purchase, 2021: 42.5% of all traced guns – 11th lowest (97 total guns)
> Firearm background checks, 2021: 84,624
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