Federal statistics show that Ohio is a top source for guns used in crimes in other states.
The data released this week and reported by The Columbus Dispatch show 1,601 guns were first legally purchased in Ohio in 2012 and then linked to crimes such as robbery and murder in 36 other states.
Another 5,375 guns stayed in Ohio and were linked to crimes in 2012, according to the newspaper analysis of numbers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Ohio was a top contributor to guns used in crimes in 2011, too. Around 1,700 weapons attained here were traced to crimes in 38 states during that year.
Law enforcement officials say part of the reason is Ohio's less-restrictive gun laws.