Table 3

Source of gun used in current offence by state prison inmates incarcerated for offence committed with firearm in 13 states, by firearm prohibition status*

Total (n=253)Legal even under stricter standards (n=78)Prohibited under current state or federal law (n=102)Would be prohibited only under stricter standards (n=73)
N (%)n (%)n (%)n (%)
How gun was got
 Stole8 (3.2)0 (0)4 (3.9)4 (5.5)
 Borrowed44 (17.4)12 (15.4)17 (16.7)15 (20.6)
 Bought/traded124 (49.0)45 (57.7)40 (39.2)39 (53.4)
 Given as gift21 (8.3)8 (10.3)9 (8.8)4 (5.5)
 Other23 (9.1)4 (5.1)13 (12.8)6 (8.2)
 Don't know (DK)/refused33 (13.0)9 (11.5)19 (18.6)5 (6.9)
Where gun was got
 Gun store or pawnshop34 (13.4)24 (30.8)4 (3.9)6 (8.2)
 Gun show1 (0.4)0 (0)0 (0)1 (1.4)
 Friend/family member86 (34.0)25 (32.1)35 (34.3)26 (35.6)
 Street/black market77 (30.4)14 (18.0)36 (35.3)27 (37.0)
 Burglary1 (0.4)0 (0)1 (1.0)0 (0)
 Other21 (8.3)6 (7.7)8 (7.8)7 (9.6)
 DK/refused/skipped 33 (13.0)9 (11.5)18 (17.7)6 (8.2)
  • * If inmate used more than one gun in current offence, response pertains to the most recently acquired gun.

  • Respondents who refused to disclose how they got the gun were not subsequently asked where they got it.