Report: Most guns used in NY crimes bought in other states

NEW YORK CITY -MARCH 25: Times Square, featured with Broadway Theaters and animated LED signs, is a symbol of New York City and the United States, March 25, 2012 in Manhattan, New York City. USA. (iStock)

NEW YORK – Three-quarters of nearly 53,000 guns used to commit crimes in New York were originally purchased in another state, New York's attorney general said Tuesday.

The report released by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is intended to pressure the federal government and state governments to enact stricter gun control laws.

"It's just too easy for a gun to get into the hands of someone who shouldn't have it," Schneiderman said at a Manhattan news conference.

The report looks at data from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on guns used to commit crimes in New York between 2010 and 2015.

A total of 74 percent of the guns were originally purchased outside of New York. Handguns made up three-quarters of all the guns used in crimes, and 86 percent of those handguns were bought in another state.

Schneiderman said guns are trafficked from other states because "it's hard for bad guys to get guns in New York."

The report focused on states including Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas that have less restrictive gun laws.

But the analysis also shows that some of the weapons were originally purchased in states that have tougher gun laws.

Of the 14,588 traced weapons recovered in the Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Capital region and Lower Hudson Valley metropolitan areas, 42 percent, or 6,196, originated in New York, followed by 7 percent each in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Those are all states with relatively tight gun regulations and lower rates of gun ownership.

New York City accounted for almost half of all guns recovered after being used in crimes— 25,799 — and 87 percent of those weapons were bought out of state.