The laws governing private gun sellers' online transactions are alarmingly lax. For one thing, there's no background check required—unless the seller has reason to believe the potential buyer might not pass a background check. But an investigation coordinated by Mayor Bloomberg found that in many cases, gun sellers will unload firearms to shady buyers anyway. Investigators called up 125 private online gun sellers located in 14 states, and found that 62 percent of them were willing to commit a felony by selling to an undercover investigator who freely admitted he could not pass a background check. And in most cases, they had a good laugh while doing so; check out the video: more ›

After a lengthy undercover operation, the FBI has arrested eight current and former NYPD officers and charged them with crimes ranging from gun trafficking to conspiracy to smuggle cigarettes. Five of the officers are still on the force and three are retired; according to prosecutors they illegally transported handguns, M-16 assault rifles, shotguns and other stolen property, including slot machines, across state lines. 12 people were arrested in their homes in a pre-dawn raid this morning, including a former Sanitation Police officer, two of his friends, and a New Jersey Corrections Officer. more ›

The NYPD announced that 164 guns were surrendered at yesterday's gun buy-back on Staten Island. The program, which was held by the Staten Island DA's Office and NYPD, offered $200 cash for each eligible handgun and $20 for each eligible rifle or shotgun—no questions asked. The NYPD adds that of the guns turned in yesterday, four were loaded. more ›

With the country still reeling from the apparent assassination attempt of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, which left six dead and many others injured, outside a Tucson, AZ supermarket, New York politicians have been speaking out about gun laws. Rep. Peter King (R-LI) announced that he would introduce a gun safety bill that would prohibit people from carrying a gun within a 1000 feet of the President, Vice President, members of Congress, and federal judges, "It is imperative that we do all that we can to give law enforcement the tools they need to ensure the safety of New Yorkers and prevent an attack before it happens." more ›

Mayor Bloomberg made his way to Washington D.C. yesterday to demand that Congress close the "terror gap" that allows individuals on the terrorist watch list to buy guns. He said, "Shouldn't FBI agents have the authority to block sales of guns and explosives to those on the terror watchlists -- and deemed too dangerous to fly? I actually believe that they should," and referred to the Times Square car bombing attempt. more ›

Yesterday, the NYPD announced that one undercover cop managed to buy 153 guns from various Brooklyn street dealers. Two of the guns have been linked to shooting deaths (including the killing of Brian Scott) and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said, "This undercover officer was particularly skillful and he appeared to have money. And other people tried to undercut the original seller [and] cut their own deals." The undercover cop was offered high-powered rifles, and one dealer sold his 51 guns while another dealer sold 31. The police have arrested 17 people and are looking for other suspects; Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes says none of the suspects will be offered plea deals more ›

Mayor Bloomberg is targeting gun sales again. His Mayors Against Illegal Guns group has released a new ad telling voters to contact their Senators to close the "gun show loophole," which allows dealers at gun shows to sell guns without background checks. Bloomberg said, "Today marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic shootings at Columbine High School. Last Friday was the three year anniversary of the nation’s deadliest mass shooting at Virginia Tech. Each day, 35 people in America are murdered with guns - the equivalent of a Virginia Tech massacre every single day. Yet while criminals are busy evading critical background checks at gun shows, Congress continues to turn a blind eye to this glaring gap in our nation’s gun laws. This new national campaign will deliver a clear message to Washington: it’s time to close the Gun Show Loophole once and for all." more ›

A candidate for Governor of West Virginia has threatened to make Mayor Bloomberg's out-of-state gun busts illegal. State Sen. Jeffrey Kessler says Bloomberg has gotten too involved in West Virginia politics, so he wants to pass a bill that would ban the Mayor from using private investigators to catch Mountain State gun dealers who violate federal laws by selling firearms to unqualified buyers. more ›

From the Daily News's Michael Daly: The great state of South Carolina is putting its own sick twist on Black Friday with a tax holiday on firearm purchases. Not cars. Not clothes. Certainly not books. Just guns. For the 48 hours following Thanksgiving, gun buyers will enjoy a break of up to 9% in state and local taxes. Firearms traffickers are not expected to pass the savings on to New York criminals, but what is called 'the extrava-gun-za' and 'Second Amendment Weekend' is sure to help South Carolina stay among the top five states that provide 85% of the illegal handguns recovered in New York City." Keep it classy, South Carolina! more ›

On Wednesday, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled the latest efforts in his crusade against illegal guns coming in NYC by allegedly showing how easy it would be to buy a gun—without a background check or with a straw purchaser—at gun shows in Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee. Of course, one town wasn't too pleased with our big city mayor sending in investigators for the sting operation at a local gun show. more ›

Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr will be heading into court for a defamation lawsuit against Mayor Bloomberg. Per the AP, "Barr claims Bloomberg libeled Adventure Outdoors Sporting Goods when he labeled the Smyrna, Ga. gun shop a rogue gun dealer." Barr is representing Adventure Outdoors, which filed the $400 million lawsuit in 2006. Bloomberg has made going after gun dealers a cornerstone of his mayoral (and potential national) platform. In other Barr news, a judge ruled that he can remain on the Pennsylvania ballot--apparently the GOP is worried he'll siphon votes from John McCain. more ›

The NYPD is asking New Yorkers to turn in their illegal guns and they'll get $200 debit cards in return. In fact, the limit is three, so turning in a trio of illegal guns could net one $600. The AP reports that "BB guns and air pistols are worth $20." The NYPD says the exchanges are anonymous and that it has $300,000 for the program, so that's up to 1,500 guns. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg has made ridding the city of illegal guns one of his administration's major issues (it's also a big part of his potential national platform). Last year, he, on behalf of NYC, filed two federal lawsuits against out-of-state gun dealers, after sting operations revealed that the dealers were apparently selling guns illegally. While some dealers have settled, others are fighting back, countersuing the city. The Bloomberg administration's sting operations involved two undercovers going to... more ›