Adolescents and young adults involved in the illegal drug market arm themselves to protect their money and themselves in this violent industry. More prevalent in the urban areas, armed participants in the illegal drug market became an almost expected part of these high crime areas.
Although few studies exploring the gun and drug connection have examined the types of drugs involved, it would be safe to assume that higher profit margins and more addictive substances could increase the percentage of firearm involvement.
The solution, according to a December 2008 quote from Attorney General Anne Milgram is to "Stay in this for the long haul." Every state must take personal responsibility and a proactive, aggressive approach to the problem of drugs and firearms.
During the last six months of 2008, authorities in New Jersey have partnered with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau (ATF) and have swept almost every county in the state in an effort to shut down illegal drug sales, gang related activity, and to get guns off the streets.
Although their job is not finished, law enforcement officials and the ATF had some pretty impressive numbers to report to the state capital. "Strategy for Safe Streets and Neighborhoods", started by Governor Corzine resulted in almost 2,000 arrests that included firearms, murder, and illegal drug trafficking. Many arrests had direct ties to the Bloods, Crips, and other organized gangs.
The ATF, officially created as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in 1972 by President Nixon, has it's headquarters located in Washington, D.C.. It is a federal law enforcement agency operating directly under the U.S. Department of Justice. Their job is to investigate and prevent illegal activities such as the manufacture and distribution of narcotics and firearms. Equipped with a nationwide task force, they also regulate interstate possession, sales and transportation of weapons.
More information on drugs, firearms, and the history of the ATF is available by accessing the provided resources below.
Resources and Studies Regarding Guns and Drugs:
The Atlantic Magazine: Arguments on both sides
Freedom Foundation: Article on Relationship between Guns and Drugs
BBC News: A Study Links Gun Crime to the Drugs Trade
United States Government Study on Connection between Drug Crimes and Gun Possession
U.S. Department of Justice: Illegal Firearms: Access and Use by Individuals Previously Arrested
Denver Study: Firearm Use Among Arrestees
Center for Problem Oriented Policing: Several Different Studies of Crime Involving Guns
The Lantern: The Student Voice of OSU – A Professor's Study on Youth Crime and Guns
Federal Overview: Current Status & Analysis of the Problem of Juvenile Gun Violence
A Psychiatric Study of Firearms and Persons with Substance Abuse Problems
U.S. Department of Education: Study from Harvard and The Core Institute on Students at Risk
Monitoring the Future: A Website Hosting a Continued Study of American Youth
