The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "gun buyer" ...
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Fast and Furious: Arizona Crime Ties
When Border Patrol agent Brian Terry was shot to death near the Arizona/Mexico border in December 2010, we quickly learned the guns found at the murder scene were linked to a controversial Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives case called Fast and Furious. Phoenix ATF agents testified in front of Congressional leaders about the flawed gun case and the strategy in which they knowingly allowed criminals to obtain deadly assault weapons. The agents admitted to watching straw buyers purchase weapons on behalf of criminals. The agents said they did nothing to stop the purchases or to track the guns in a meaningful way after they were purchased. As a result of the Fast and Furious case, approximately two thousand weapons went missing. They are presumed to be on the streets somewhere in the United States, near the border, or in Mexico. The agents' testimonies sparked a slew of Congressional hearings and a major shuffle within the leadership ranks of the ATF and other areas of the Department of Justice.
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Virgina Tech Shootings Raise Alarms About Gun Control and Mental Health
These stories investigate a number of issues raised by the April 16th, 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech. They reveal shortcomings in the state's mental health system and a gaping loophole in the process used to screen mentally ill people seeking to purchase guns. The stories go into great detail about how the shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, battled mental illness and then was allowed to purchase guns because his illness was not reported databases used to screen gun buyers.
Tags: education; higher education; university; college; violence; school shooting; state government; gun control; mental health
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Armed and Dangerous
WKMG found the State of Florida issuing concealed weapons permits to people who were prohibited by Federal and state law from even possessing guns because they were involuntarily committed by judges to mental institutions or drug-and-alcohol-treatment centers. The politically potent National Rifle Association and its allies have stifled any discussion in Florida about using public records to check on the mental health of the gun buyers. They claim the information is private, but this investigation shows how easily it could be done--if wanted to. This tape also looks at cases of mentally ill patients who have walked into public places like churches and opened fire to kill people.
Tags: TAPE; gun; National Rifle Association; NRA; mental; Florida; weapon; concealed weapon; permit; judge; mental institution; drug treatment; alcohol treatment; public records; mental health; gun buyer; privacy; concealed weapon permit; drug and alcohol treatment; psychotic disorder; concealed weapon permit holder; concealed weapon permit program; US Marshall Service; kill; concealed firearm; scheme; mental health record; health record; Florida legislature; gun control law; mentally ill; killing
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Gun Buyers Choose Compact Weaponry
Gun dealers are choosing to manufacture and market small handguns in light of recent legislation allowing concealed weapons. Arkansas, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia all passed laws permitting the use of concealed weapons.
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Fire Sale: America's Unchecked Gun Market
A four-part series. 1.) Military Scrap Reborn as Firearms. Tens of thousand of rebuilt military weapons have been sold to the public. Some of the world's most powerful combat rifles can wind up in almost anyone's hands with a minimum of paperwork. 2.) Built for the battlefield, bound for the streets. Through the 94-year-old Civilian Marksmanship Program, thousands of obsolete military firearms are sold to private owners. Trouble is, there are no safeguards on the weapon's resale. 3.) Want to buy a weapon? Step right up. At poorly monitored gun shows -- as well as on the Internet -- buyers and sellers can undertake transactions that don't require background checks or paperwork. 4.) Assault gun 'ban' designed to backfire. With gaping loopholes the law is easily skirted.
Tags: Military; gun; gun control; weapon.
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Havoc With Handguns
The Journal Gazette investigates Indiana handgun laws and finds that state laws allow a felon from another state to use his or her real name to get a license to carry a handgun in Indiana because no nationwide back ground check is done. In addition, an Indiana handgun license allows a gun buyer to take immediate possession of a handgun while a nationwide background check is performed. The story found weaknesses in state background checks and reporting methods for criminal records. (Sept. 22, 1996)
Tags: Shawgo CAR Havoc with handguns Contest entry Felons Firearms 20 pgs.
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No title (id: 8562)
Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reports on Virginia's and the city of Richmond's growing gun trade, which is a result of lax laws that make it very easy for anyone to purchase a weapon, with buyers traveling from other states to get guns; gives accounts of people murdered because of the ease with which one can get a gun.
Tags: None
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Food Stamps: A flourishing racket feeds on the down and out
Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports on a flourishing black market for food stamps, where buyers offer money, drugs, alcohol or guns in exchange for food stamps; the Secret Service has primary responsibility for enforcing laws against food stamp trafficking, but does little to stop it, March 10, 1987.