2009 California Firearms Report - Home | State of California
Transcript of 2009 California Firearms Report - Home | State of California
This report is available online athttp://ag.ca.gov/publications/index.php#firearms
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERALCALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Division of Law EnforcementBureau of Forensic Services
- -916 319 9365
2009FIREARMS
USED IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES
- -
FIREARMS USED IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIMES
2009
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
This report is available online at http://ag.ca.gov/publications/index.php#firearms
Division of Law Enforcement Bureau of Forensic Services
916 319 9365
California Penal Code section 12039 requires the Attorney
General to provide a report to the Legislature on the specific types
of firearms used in the commission of crimes. This report details
the number and type of firearms used most frequently in the
commission of violent, homicidal, street, and drug trafficking crimes
in 2009. Also included is the frequency with which stolen and fully
automatic firearms were used in the commission of these crimes.
Although legislation for this report states that the data should be
based on information obtained from local and state crime
laboratories, the legislation does not require local laboratories to
report this information to the Department of Justice. Therefore,
local law enforcement agencies submit this information voluntarily,
which limits the data received for inclusion in this report.
1
Table of Contents
California Penal Code section 12039. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Firearm Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Crimes of Violence Other than Homicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Homicides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Drug Trafficking Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Street Gang Crimes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Special Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
California Assault Weapons by Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Table of Contents
California Penal Code section 12039. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Firearm Types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Crimes of Violence Other than Homicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Homicides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Drug Trafficking Crimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Street Gang Crimes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Special Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
California Assault Weapons by Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
California Penal Code section 12039 requires the Attorney
General to provide a report to the Legislature on the specific types
of firearms used in the commission of crimes. This report details
the number and type of firearms used most frequently in the
commission of violent, homicidal, street, and drug trafficking crimes
in 2009. Also included is the frequency with which stolen and fully
automatic firearms were used in the commission of these crimes.
Although legislation for this report states that the data should be
based on information obtained from local and state crime
laboratories, the legislation does not require local laboratories to
report this information to the Department of Justice. Therefore,
local law enforcement agencies submit this information voluntarily,
which limits the data received for inclusion in this report.
1
Weapons by Caliber
Firearms Used in Crimes of Violence (Other than Homicide)65 Firearms
Figure 2
Figure 3Figure 3
Crimes of Violence Other than Homicide (Figure 3)
Of the firearms examined, 65 (44.2 of the total) were submitted in cases involving crimes of violence other than homicide. There were 49 (75.4 percent) handguns, 9 (13.9 percent) rifles, and 7 (10.8 percent) shotguns.
percent
.223
Rem
ingt
on
.357
Mag
num
Other
12 G
auge
.25
Auto
7.62
x 39
.40
S&W
38 S
pecial
.22
Rimfir
e
380
Auto
.32
Auto
/.32
S&W
.30-
.30
Win
9 mm Lug
er
.45
ACP
15
2 2
54
15
10 10
7
14
3
11
38
11
3
Purpose
This report is prepared by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS), for the Legislature as directed by California Penal Code section 12039. The report details the specific types of firearms used in the commission of various types of crimes.
Scope
This report includes firearms examined during 2009 in the BFS Regional Criminalistics Laboratories.
Because BFS serves principally the rural areas of California, the data in this report may not represent gun trends within urban areas or within California as a whole.
Firearm Types (Figures 1 and 2)
Of the 147 firearms examined, there were 120 (81.6 percent) handguns, 13 (8.8 percent) rifles, 11 (7.5 percent) shotguns, and 3 (2 percent) machine guns. Of these firearms, 8 (5.4 percent) were assault weapons (as defined in California Penal code section 12276) and 1 (0.7 percent) was classified as a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. The most commonly encountered caliber was 9 mm Luger, followed by .22 rimfire and .40 Smith & Wesson (S&W), and .380 automatic.
Firearms Used in All Crimes 147 Firearms
FigurFigure 1e 1
Percentages may not total 100 percent because of rounding
2
Figure 1Figure 1
Purpose
This report is prepared by the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services (BFS), for the Legislature as directed by California Penal Code section 12039. The report details the specific types of firearms used in the commission of various types of crimes.
Scope
This report includes firearms examined during 2009 in the BFS Regional Criminalistics Laboratories.
Because BFS serves principally the rural areas of California, the data in this report may not represent gun trends within urban areas or within California as a whole.
Firearm Types (Figures 1 and 2)
Of the 147 firearms examined, there were 120 (81.6 percent) handguns, 13 (8.8 percent) rifles, 11 (7.5 percent) shotguns, and 3 (2 percent) machine guns. Of these firearms, 8 (5.4 percent) were assault weapons (as defined in California Penal code section 12276) and 1 (0.7 percent) was classified as a short-barreled shotgun or rifle. The most commonly encountered caliber was 9 mm Luger, followed by .22 rimfire and .40 Smith & Wesson (S&W), and .380 automatic.
Firearms Used in All Crimes147 Firearms
2
Percentages may not total 100 percent because of rounding
.223
Rem
ingt
on
.357
Mag
num
Other
12 G
auge
.25
Auto
7.62
x 39
.40
S&W
38 S
pecial
.22
Rimfir
e
380
Auto
.32
Auto
/.32
S&W
.30-
.30
Win
9 mm Lug
er
.45
ACP
Weapons by Caliber
1 5
2 2
5 4
1 5
1 0 1 0
7
1 4
3
1 1
3 8
1 1
Figure 2
Crimes of Violence Other than Homicide (Figure 3)
Of the firearms examined, 65 (44.2 percent of the total) were submitted in cases involving crimes of violence other than homicide. There were 49 (75.4 percent) handguns, 9 (13.9 percent) rifles, and 7 (10.8 percent) shotguns.
Firearms Used in Crimes of Violence (Other than Homicide) 65 Firearms
Figure 3Figure 3
3
Firearms Used in Street Gang Crimes6 Firearms
Figure 6Figure 6
Street Gang Crimes (Figure 6)
Of the 6 firearms (4.0 of the total) identified as being related to street gang crimes, 5 (83.3 percent) were handguns and 1 (16.7 percent)was a machine gun (submachine gun).
percent
Special Cases (Figure 7)
California Assault Weapons - Eight of the firearms examined in 2009 were identified as California Assault Weapons (as defined in California Penal Code section 12276).
Stolen Firearms - Of the firearms examined, one was confirmed to have been reported stolen. For many of the other firearms examined, ownership status was not determined.
Serial Numbers Removed - Ten firearms (6.8 percent of the total) were submitted with the serial numbers removed.
Machine Guns or Full Auto Conversions - Three submachine guns or converted firearms were examined this year.
Short-Barreled Rifle or Shotgun - One (0.7 percent of the total) of the examined firearms was classified as a short-barreled rifle or shotgun.
Officer-Involved Shooting Incidents - Of the four (2.7 percent of the total) firearms identified as being related to officer-involved shooting incidents, there was one handgun, two rifles, and one shotgun.
Silencers - One firearm with a silencer was examined this year.
5
Homicides (Figure 4)
Of the 32 firearms (21.8 percent of the total) submitted in homicide cases, there were 24 (75.0 percent) handguns, 3 (9.0 percent) rifles, 4 (13.0 percent) shotguns, and 1 (3.0 percent) machine gun (submachine gun).
Firearms Used in Homicides 32 Firearms
FigurFigure 4e 4
Drug Trafficking Crimes (Figure 5)
Of the 51 firearms (34.7 percent of the total) identified as being used in drug trafficking crimes, there were 47 (92.0 percent) handguns, 2 (4.0 percent) rifles, and 2 (4.0 percent) machine guns (submachine guns).
Firearms Used in Drug Trafficking 51 Firearms
FigurFigure 5e 5
4
Firearms Used in Drug Trafficking51 Firearms
Figure 5Figure 5
Firearms Used in Homicides32 Firearms
Figure 4Figure 4
Drug Trafficking Crimes (Figure 5)
Of the 51 firearms (34.7 of the total) identified as being used in drug trafficking crimes, there were 47 (92.0 percent) handguns, 2 (4.0 percent) rifles, and 2 (4.0 percent) machine guns (submachine guns).
percent
Homicides (Figure 4)
Of the 32 firearms (21.8 of the total) submitted in homicide cases, there were 24 (75.0 percent) handguns, 3 (9.0 percent) rifles, 4 (13.0 percent) shotguns, and 1 (3.0 percent) machine gun (submachine gun).
percent
4
Street Gang Crimes (Figure 6)
Of the 6 firearms (4.0 percent of the total) identified as being related to street gang crimes, 5 (83.3 percent) were handguns and 1 (16.7 percent)was a machine gun (submachine gun).
Firearms Used in Street Gang Crimes 6 Firearms
FigurFigure 6e 6
Special Cases (Figure 7)
California Assault Weapons - Eight of the firearms examined in 2009 were identified as California Assault Weapons (as defined in California Penal Code section 12276).
Stolen Firearms - Of the firearms examined, one was confirmed to have been reported stolen. For many of the other firearms examined, ownership status was not determined.
Serial Numbers Removed - Ten firearms (6.8 percent of the total) were submitted with the serial numbers removed.
Machine Guns or Full Auto Conversions - Three submachine guns or converted firearms were examined this year.
Short-Barreled Rifle or Shotgun - One (0.7 percent of the total) of the examined firearms was classified as a short-barreled rifle or shotgun.
Officer-Involved Shooting Incidents - Of the four (2.7 percent of the total) firearms identified as being related to officer-involved shooting incidents, there was one handgun, two rifles, and one shotgun.
Silencers - One firearm with a silencer was examined this year.
5
Penal Code Section 12039
The Attorney General shall provide the Legislature on or before April 15
of each year, commencing in 1998, a written report on the specific types
of firearms used in the commission of crimes based upon information
obtained from state and local crime laboratories. The report shall
include all of the following information regarding crimes in which
firearms were used: (a) A description of the relative occurrence of
firearms most frequently used in the commission of violent crimes,
distinguishing whether the firearms used were handguns, rifles,
shotguns, assault weapons, or other related types of weapons. (b) A
description of specific types of firearms that are used in homicides or
street gang and drug trafficking crimes. (c) The frequency with which
stolen firearms were used in the commission of the crimes. (d) The
frequency with which fully automatic firearms were used in the
commission of the crimes. (e) Any trends of importance such as those
involving specialized ammunition or firearms modifications, such as
conversion to a fully automatic weapon, removal of serial number,
shortening of barrel, or use of a suppressor.
3
8
11 1
4
10 Special Cases
California Stolen Serial Machine Gun Short-Barreled Officer- Silencer Assault Firearm Number or Full Auto Rifle/ Involved Weapon Removed Conversion Shotgun Shooting
California Assault Weapons by Year (Figure 8)
California Assault Weapon use has continued at a relatively low level since it was first reported.
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
213
221 California Assault Weapons Used in Crime by Year
218
106
116
8
82
119
146 142
88 86
173
147
2 4 1 4 5 0
California Assault Weapons Guns Examined
7
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 7
Figure 8
6
Special Cases
CaliforniaAssaultWeapon
StolenFirearm
SerialNumber
Removed
Machine Gunor Full AutoConversion
Short-BarreledRifle/
Shotgun
Officer-InvolvedShooting
Silencer
Figure 7Figure 7
3
10
8
11 1
4
California Assault WeaponsUsed in Crime by Year213
221218
106
2 4 8 6 1 4 5 80
8 8
116119
147
173
146 142
82
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
California Assault Weapons Guns Examined
California Assault Weapons by Year (Figure 8)
California Assault Weapon use has continued at a relatively low level since it was first reported.
Figure 8Figure 8
6
Penal Code Section 12039
The Attorney General shall provide the Legislature on or before April 15
of each year, commencing in 1998, a written report on the specific types
of firearms used in the commission of crimes based upon information
obtained from state and local crime laboratories. The report shall
include all of the following information regarding crimes in which
firearms were used: (a) A description of the relative occurrence of
firearms most frequently used in the commission of violent crimes,
distinguishing whether the firearms used were handguns, rifles,
shotguns, assault weapons, or other related types of weapons. (b) A
description of specific types of firearms that are used in homicides or
street gang and drug trafficking crimes. (c) The frequency with which
stolen firearms were used in the commission of the crimes. (d) The
frequency with which fully automatic firearms were used in the
commission of the crimes. (e) Any trends of importance such as those
involving specialized ammunition or firearms modifications, such as
conversion to a fully automatic weapon, removal of serial number,
shortening of barrel, or use of a suppressor.
7