Firearms Lost: GSA’s Administration of the Surplus Firearm Donation Program

PURPOSE:

• To evaluate U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) management of the surplus firearm donation program and to address potential gaps in GSA’s efforts to account for and secure donated firearms.
• To examine deficiencies highlighted in the 2015 GSA Office of the Inspector General report.

BACKGROUND:

• Started in 1999, the surplus firearm donation program provides firearms no longer needed by federal agencies to state and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs).
• Since the program’s inception, GSA has donated more than 9,800 firearms to LEAs, including 4,800 handguns, 4,100 rifles, and 28 grenade launchers.
• A review of GSA’s records show 485 firearms were lost between 2001 and January 2016, and only 24 were eventually reported as found.
  • The remaining 461 lost firearms—including grenade launchers, Uzis, and assault rifles—were either traded, sold, or remain missing.