More than three-quarters of the 83,000 guns used in crime that ATF traced for law enforcement agencies in 1994 were handguns. Almost 60 percent of the 2 million stolen gun reports in the FBI's National Crime Information Center files are handguns. More than half of all the handguns manufactured domestically since the turn of the century are 20 years old or less. From 1973 through 1993, more than 40 million handguns were produced in the United States. The predominant type of handgun produced has also changed during the last two decades from manual revolvers to semi-automatic pistols.
Firearms used by offenders reflect a trend toward semi-automatic pistols.
Last year, nine of the 10 most frequently traced guns were pistols. About a third of the 83,000 traced guns were 3 years old or less and one-fifth were 1 year old or less. Most firearms in circulation are rifles and shotguns, not handguns.