Minnesota's Gun Tracing Participation Remains Low

Only 13% of Minnesota's law enforcement agencies share data from gun traces, despite 58% tracing some weapons. Minnesota does not mandate gun tracing, unlike a dozen other states. Pistols, especially Glocks, are the most commonly traced crime guns, primarily originating within the state. The ATF’s National Tracing Center in West Virginia handles tracing requests, processing up to 1,800 daily, with urgent cases prioritized. Traces helped solve significant cases, such as a fatal bar shooting in St. Paul and the murder of first responders in Burnsville. However, nearly 40% of Minnesota agencies do not use the eTrace system, missing potential investigative leads.