Sometimes when a reporter gives one or a few examples it merely is anecdotal. Sometimes, well chosen examples illuminate a problem, as is the case here. Whether it is merely the location as the owner claims (the journalist does, however, provide comparable data from nearby shops), or an active desire to skirt the law (the journalist quotes the owner's denial and the ATF's visits) this story illustrates the link between straw purchases and tragic, violent murders carried out by people who clearly should never have been allowed to own guns. While there are quotes from law enforcement lamenting the situation, no quotes from people with specific effective solutions are included, and, clearly, the answers are not simple. But the ... More »

Good investigative journalism. A bit short on discussion of any action steps to enforce existing gun laws or improve gun laws.

Good journalism. Well reserched.

Researching and presenting this story must have involved a serious amount of legwork and attention to detail. The use of multimedia brings the statistics together and focuses the reader on the scale of the problem, with equal emphasis on the human cost to the story, and the range of opinions on the solution.

This is an exceptionally well written article, well cited as well as intriguing. The act of significant others and spouses buying firearms for ex cons is something I witnessed regularly growing up in Detroit,Michigan. These acts often proved fatal for everyone involved. Its refreshing, if not, depressing to know light is being shined on part of the underground crime culture.