The eTrace system is a firearms database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) that contains personal information on each purchaser of a weapon in the United States, and allows authorized users to query the database by individual names and other identifiers. In April 2009, Special Agent in Charge William Newell of the ATF Phoenix field division testified that the U.S. government currently has a goal to deploy the eTrace System to all 31 Mexican states.
Who are the individuals being tracked in the eTrace database? Citizens of the United States who own weapons. While U. S. citizens may be comfortable with their own government having access to this information because they know their government has some modicum of accountability, most citizens would be appalled to know their personal information is being provided to a foreign government — particularly Mexico, which acknowledges a 60% corruption rate within the ranks of its law enforcement agencies. This information could be sold for intelligence purposes or identity theft. Other countries, including Germany, Japan and Colombia, also have been authorized for eTrace access.
The issue is a matter of philosophy and each gun owner’s personal security. Under what circumstances should the U.S. government turn over or allow access to entire databases containing personal information of United States citizens? Who will be held responsible for the consequence of malfeasance and harm?
This past spring, congressmen on the House Second Amendment Task Force sent letters to the secretary of state, attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security requesting more information on what information is being shared with Mexico, in particular, and what safeguards exist “to ensure that information about guns owned by law abiding citizens” is never given out. They are still waiting for a reply.
I’d like to know the answers, too. In an age where identity theft and national security are paramount concerns, our government owes its citizens an explanation.
Joan Neuhaus Schaan is the fellow in homeland security and terrorism at the Baker Institute. Since late 2004 she has served as the executive director of the Houston-Harris County Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council.