CPD focuses on illegal purchase of firearms

Local law enforcement stresses the importance of gun safety.

By Alicia Stice

Published Sept. 15, 2009

With the amount of gun-related crimes in recent weeks, local law enforcement looks to illegal purchasing of firearms as part of their investigations.

Columbia has seen a flurry of gun-related crimes in recent weeks, Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jessie Haden said. This includes an incident on Sept. 9 on Rice Road and two related shootings Sept. 8 on Quail Road.

Investigations for these types of crimes begin with a search for shell casings and talks with witnesses, said Nina Turner, Boone County Sheriff's Department detective sergeant. Investigators are interested in learning if the shootings were random or if an individual person was targeted. In the case of the latter, police interview the intended victim and try to determine motive and any potential suspects.

CPD's responding officers gather information from witnesses before handing the case over to investigators and the Street Crimes Unit, which is responsible for gathering intelligence and arresting suspects, Haden said.

Target Masters is a local seller of firearms in Columbia and also includes a shooting range. Turner and Target Masters salesman Mike O'Dell said many people who commit crimes with guns get their firearms without going through the proper legal processes.

"If someone is looking at committing a serious crime then they are not concerned that they are committing another crime by obtaining the gun illegally," O'Dell said.

A firearm can be purchased in about 30 minutes, a process that used to require a permit from the sheriff's office and multiple-day waiting period, O'Dell said.

To legally sell any type of gun, Turner said licensed firearm dealers must get a background check from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

In accordance with the Brady Act of 1993, the system allows gun dealerships to obtain background checks electronically within minutes of requesting them, the FBI Web site stated.

Before conducting background checks, customers fill out Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Form 4473, O'Dell said. The form asks questions determining if the customer is qualified to purchase a firearm. Felony convictions and misdemeanor offenses involving domestic violence are some factors that can prohibit a person from legally owning a gun.

Gun dealerships can also choose not to sell a gun based on their own judgment, O'Dell said, for example, if they suspect the person filling out the form is not the actual buyer of the firearm.

O'Dell also said an important aspect of gun-safety is knowledge of firearms.

"We pride ourselves on giving everyone an opportunity to get educated before they leave," he said.

Although Missouri is an open carry state, anyone with a concealed weapon must get a concealed carry permit, the Boone County Sheriff's Department Web site stated. Requirements for this permit include safety training and a monetary fee.

Haden said CPD deals with the issue of firearms by treating burglaries and car break-ins very seriously because criminals often illegally obtain guns by stealing them.

"Sometimes (we) are able to recover stolen guns because of hard work solving these types of crimes," she said.