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Taking on “bad apple” gun dealersThe vast majority of gun dealers do their part to keep guns out of criminal hands, but a small and dangerous group of “bad apple” gun dealers are responsible for gun crimes that victimize 1,300 Americans each and every day. In fact, 9 out of 10 of these crime guns can be traced to just 5% of gun dealers.

“Bad apple” gun dealers supply guns to criminals by selling them to straw purchasers (people illegally buying guns for others), gun traffickers (people buying guns to illegally resell), and other dangerous people. These bad apples skirt Brady background checks required by law, turn off video surveillance equipment or falsify

90%of crime guns

5%of gun dealers

SOURCE: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Commerce in Firearms (2000)

nearly

continued �

sales records to cover their tracks. They also willfully ignore telltale signs of illegal gun purchases, such as:

• A pair of customers where one picks out the gun, but the other fills out the Brady background check paper work.

• A customer who purchases multiple guns in one visit—in one case as many as 85!• A customer that makes frequent purchases in a suspiciously short period of time.

These dangerous and illegal activities supply criminals with the guns ravaging our nation’s schools and communities, taking the lives of police officers, children and innocent bystanders along the way.

For years, the Brady Center has been winning court cases that reform or shut down these bad apple gun dealers.

Now Brady has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to follow to a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

#StopBadApples

Bad apple gun dealers sell guns used in over 400,000 crimes every year.

400,000+

SOURCE: “U.S. gun dealers with the most �rearms traced over the past four years.”The Washington Post 13 December 2010.

guncrimes

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Taking “bad apples” to court—and winningFor years, the Brady Center has filed lawsuits to hold “bad apple” gun dealers accountable for their irresponsible business practices. With over 50 cases, Brady has successfully reformed, held accountable,

or shut down gun dealers in states across the country, including Mississippi, Washington, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Utah and Texas.

Brady Center lawsuits have stopped gun dealers from selling guns to straw purchasers and traffickers, and sent a clear message to the gun industry: If you irresponsibly supply guns to criminals, you will pay or be shut down.

A few of our victories include:

Oliver v. Lou’s Loans: In 2004, the Brady Center brought a lawsuit on behalf of the parents of 14-year-old Anthony Oliver Jr., who was shot and killed with an illegal gun sold on the street for $50. The suit alleged that Lou’s Loan, then the top supplier of crime guns in Philadelphia, negligently sold multiple guns to a gun trafficker, including the one that was used in the shooting. Lou’s had been a frequent supplier of weapons to traffickers, straw purchasers and convicted felons. n Our victory led ATF to revoke Lou’s license, shutting it down.

Johnson v. Bull’s Eye Shooter Supply: Two men terrorized the Washington, DC, metro area in 2002 with a series of sniper-style shootings that killed ten and wounded three others. The shooters were armed with an assault rifle from Bull’s Eye Shooter Supply, a notorious “bad apple” gun dealer. Hundreds of guns had left Bull’s Eye’s inventory without any record of legal sale or a federally required

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“Feds Pull License From Upper Derby Gun Shop”6ABC-WPVI, PHILADELPHIA

Brady background check, including the snipers’ gun. The Brady Center sued Bull’s Eye and Bushmaster (the manufacturer of the assault rifle)

on behalf of the victims, yielding a $2.5 million settlement—the first time a gun manufacturer paid damages for its role in criminal gun violence. n Our victory led ATF to shut down Bull’s Eye.

Wortham v. Ed’s Pawn Shop: Thomas Wortham IV, a police officer, Iraq War veteran, and community leader, was shot and killed by gang members outside his parents’ Chicago home in May 2010. The handgun used was sold to a trafficker via a straw purchase at a Mississippi gun dealer. The Brady Center sued the dealer on behalf of Officer Wortham’s parents. n A year later, the dealer settled the case, and agreed to reform its business practices.

Now Brady has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

“Pawnshop that sold gun in cop killing agrees to report more on sales” CHICAGO TRIBUNE

#StopBadApples

“Gunmaker, Store Agree to Payout in Sniper Case” WASHINGTON POST

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Taking a bite out of bad applesCutting off the flow of guns from “bad apple” gun dealers to gun traffickers, straw purchasers and other criminals dramatically reduces gun violence in our communities. Communities that have fought back against “bad apple” gun dealers have been able to stem the flow of crime guns to their streets:

• From 1998-1999, a series of undercover stings and lawsuits against irresponsible gun dealers in Michigan helped reduce the trafficking of guns to criminals in Detroit by 36%.

• In 2006, New York City sued 27 irresponsible gun dealers for supplying guns used in crimes. Follow-up with 10 of the dealers that settled out of court showed an 84% drop in the odds a gun sold in their stores would be recovered at a New York City crime scene.

SOURCES:1D.W. Webster, M.T Bulzacchellli, A.M. Zeoli, J.S.Vernick, Effects of Undercover Police Stings of Gun Dealers on the Supply of New Guns to Criminals. Baltimore, MD: 2006.2D.W. Webster, J.S. Vernick, Reducing Gun Violence in America. Baltimore, MD: 2013.

decrease in the likelihood that a crime gun sold by one of these dealers would later be recovered in New York City2

A series of undercover stings and the �ling of lawsuits against gun dealers in Detroit from 1998-1999 resulted in:

decrease in trafficked guns sold by in-state retailers1

DETROIT NEW YORK CITY

In 2006, New York City sued 27 gun dealers for facilitating illegal sales.The settlement agreements required the dealers to make changes to their business practices to prevent illegal gun sales, resulting in:

36% 84%

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For years, the Brady Center has filed lawsuits to hold “bad apple” gun dealers accountable for their irresponsible business practices. These lawsuits have stopped gun dealers from selling guns to straw purchasers and traffickers, and sent a clear message to the gun industry: If you irresponsibly sell guns to criminals, you will pay or be shut down.

Now, Brady has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple gun dealers” across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agreed to follow a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

SOURCE: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Crime Gun Trace Reports (2000)

*Tracing the Guns: the Impact of Guns on Violence in Chicago (May 2014)

Oakland, CA 1 dealer supplied 46% of crime guns

Los Angeles, CA 9 dealers supplied 43% of crime guns

Tucson, AZ 7 dealers supplied 46% of crime guns

Miami, FL 9 dealers supplied 51% of crime guns

Birmingham, AL 10 dealers supplied 57% of crime guns

Richmond, VA 3 dealers supplied 52% of crime guns

Philadelphia, PA 8 dealers supplied 50% of crime guns

Pittsburgh, PA 7 dealers supplied 53% of crime guns

Buffalo, NY3 dealers supplied 43% of crime guns

Milwaukee, WI 4 dealers supplied 53% of crime guns

Gary, IN 5 dealers supplied 65% of crime guns

Indianapolis, IN 10 dealers supplied 70% of crime guns

Chicago, IL 4 dealers supplied 20% of crime guns*

13 Cities With Some Of The Worst “Bad Apple” Gun Dealers In The U.S.

#StopBadApples

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When is a gun a “crime gun”?Every day, 1,300 Americans are victims of gun crimes, including 32 murders.

The guns used in these crimes don’t just “grow on trees” and criminals aren’t manufacturing them in their basements. In reality, nearly all crime guns are purchased initially at a licensed dealer, and later diverted to the underground, illegal market.

Any firearm used—or suspected to have been used—in a crime is immediately labeled by law enforcement as a “crime gun”.

When police recover a crime gun, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) “trace” every identifiable seller and buyer of the gun, often including straw purchasers and gun traffickers—common ways legal guns end up in criminal hands and wind up as crime guns.

Most gun dealers help keep guns out of dangerous hands. More than 80% can proudly report not a single crime gun traced to their shops.

But a small number of “bad apple” gun dealers disregard public safety to supply the criminal market. In fact, just 5% of all gun dealers are responsible for 90% of crime guns on our streets.

That’s why the Brady Campaign has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to follow to a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

Nearly all crime guns are purchased initially at a licensed dealer, and later diverted to the underground, illegal market.

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What’s a “straw purchase”?When a person buys a gun on someone else’s behalf, it is a straw purchase. People that cannot pass a Brady background check or want to avoid a paper trail—particularly gun traffickers and other criminals—use straw purchasing to obtain guns illegally. Many of these guns end up on the streets, where each and every day 1,300 Americans are the victims of gun crimes.

Just 5% of all gun dealers are responsible for 90% of crime guns on our streets. “Bad apple” gun dealers like these supply guns to criminals by selling guns to straw purchasers (people illegally buying guns for others), gun traffickers (people buying guns to illegally resell), and other dangerous people.

A straw purchase of a gun is illegal, punishable by a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison. In June 2000, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported that nearly half of gun trafficking investigations were related to straw purchases. Yet gun dealers connected to straw purchases are rarely prosecuted.

Now Brady has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to follow a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

A straw purchase of a gun is illegal, punishable by a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison.

Nearly half ofgun trafficking investigationswere related tostraw purchases.

1/2nearly

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Brady’s Gun Dealer Code of ConductGun dealers are the best front line of defense for preventing criminals from illegally obtaining guns. The vast majority of gun dealers do their part, while a small and dangerous group of “bad apple” gun dealers willfully skirt the law, and actively aid the flow guns to criminals and other dangerous people.

In fact, just 5% of all gun dealers are responsible for 90% of crime guns on our streets.

However, by employing responsible business practices, a gun dealer can reduce criminals’ access to guns—and, correspondingly, gun crime, deaths and injuries. That’s why Brady is calling on ALL gun dealers to agree to follow Brady’s new Gun Dealer Code of Conduct. Outlined in the code are policies and business practices gun dealers can take, including:

• Screen for and deny sales of guns to straw purchasers and gun traffickers;

• Transfer a firearm only to a purchaser that has passed a Brady background check and refuse to transfer a gun if the purchaser appears to be a danger to themselves or others;

• Employ reasonable record keeping and security practices to prevent theft of firearms;

• Conduct pre-employment background checks and employee training on safe sales practices;

• Notify law enforcement of suspected straw purchasers and traffickers, record sales and maintain records for at least 5 years;

• Maintain insurance for victims who are entitled to compensation.

By employing responsible business practices, a gun dealer can reduce criminals’ access to guns—and, correspondingly, gun crime, deaths and injuries.

The complete Brady Gun Dealer Code of Conduct is at BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

continued �

Each element of this new Code of Conduct has been suggested by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), imposed as a legal requirement in certain states, accepted by dealers as part of litigation settlements, or urged as a standard by major gun industry trade associations.

Implementing the Code, in addition to following all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding gun sales, will dramatically decrease the probability that a dealer will be a source of guns for criminals, gun traffickers, straw purchasers and other prohibited or dangerous people.

Now Brady has launched a national Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers campaign that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to follow a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

#StopBadApples

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The heavy toll of gun violence in ChicagoGun violence in Chicago is a serious crisis: In 2013, 2,185 people were shot and 414 killed in the city—a trend that has sadly continued through 2014.

According to a May 2014 report released by the mayor’s office and the Chicago Police Department entitled Tracing the Guns: The Impact of Illegal Guns on Violence in Chicago :

1. Chicago’s violence problem is directly linked to the number of illegal guns in the city;

2. 60% of guns recovered in crimes in Chicago were first sold in other states with weaker gun laws;

3. A small handful of local “bad apple” gun dealers (three in Cook County and one in Gary, IN) supply another 20%. In other words, 1 out of 5 Chicago crime guns come from just four bad apple dealers.

By tracing guns, expanding litigation and public pressure, and strengthening other measures to eliminate “bad apple” gun dealers, Chicago can reduce the number of illegal guns on the streets and lessen the city’s staggering violence problem.

The Brady Campaign has chosen Chicago as its first stop on a national campaign to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers that includes filing new lawsuits to hold irresponsible gun dealers accountable, organizing public protests at “bad apple” gun dealers across the country and demanding that all gun dealers agree to follow a Code of Conduct. Join Brady by signing the petition to Stop Bad Apple Gun Dealers and stop the flow of crime guns to our streets.

� BradyCampaign.org/StopBadApples

1 out of 5Chicago crime guns come from just four bad apple dealers

GUNS GUNS GUNS GUNS