State attorneys general, led by Illinois’ Kwame Raoul, are asking Congress to crack down on arms trafficking to the Caribbean

In a joint effort, 12 state attorneys general, led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, have joined forces to urge Congress to address the critical problem of arms trafficking to Caribbean countries. In a recent correspondence, these top lawyers outlined a series of measures aimed at stemming the illicit flow of firearms that has exacerbated violence and instability in the region. “The proposals we are endorsing today provide solutions that make sense to stem the tide of illicit weapons flowing from the U.S. to Caribbean countries,” Raoul said of the joint statement, which was reported on the Illinois Attorney General’s website.

According to the coalition, there has been an alarming increase in firearms smuggled from the US into the Caribbean, a significant contributor to the growing gun violence in the region. The coalition’s letter drew attention to a 2023 United Nations report that revealed a stark reality in which the US is a major source of firearms in countries like Haiti, where the proliferation of guns has fueled gang dominance and compromised security efforts. The situation is also hampering humanitarian aid efforts, a problem mirrored by the situation in Jamaica, where the Ministry of Security estimates that at least 200 guns are smuggled from the US each month. Jamaica, which struggles with one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, is a testament to the urgency highlighted by a letter outlining the negative consequences of this transnational concern.

The attorneys general are not only identifying a problem, but are proposing actionable solutions. One of their recommendations to Congress is the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act, which is designed to provide state and federal authorities with comprehensive data on gun trafficking to devise effective countermeasures. They also emphasize the urgent need for expanded resources to authorize inspectors at U.S. ports and to ensure adequate funding for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to oversee federal firearms licensees, who are often linked to firearms crimes that can be traced back to Caribbean countries. The coalition is calling for briefings from key federal agencies, including the U.S. Postal Service, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice, on current interdiction efforts and the resources needed to strengthen them.

The expansive scope of Attorney General Raoul’s ambitions to combat gun violence is well known. Past initiatives such as the Crime Gun Connect database for Illinois law enforcement agencies reflect his ongoing commitment. Raoul’s office has worked with local law enforcement to combat gun trafficking and has used its jurisdiction to prosecute related violations. Additionally, the Attorney General has been active in collaborative efforts with agencies such as the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center, with the goal of preventing violent acts through specialized training. In the battle against emerging threats, Raoul has consistently pushed for stronger regulations regarding 3D-printed and so-called “ghost guns,” taking a proactive stance through legislative advocacy and active advocacy for related regulations in courts across Illinois and at the federal level.