Ep 8. Guns

In season 1 episode 8 of Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, titled "Guns," investigative journalist Mariana van Zeller delves into the world of private gun ownership, the firearms trade, and the shocking ease with which weapons can be procured on the black market.

Mariana begins her journey in Wyoming, where she meets a group of gun enthusiasts who argue that owning guns is a constitutional right that must be protected at all costs. They believe that any attempt to restrict gun ownership is an attack on individual liberty, and they fiercely oppose any form of gun control legislation. Mariana speaks to these advocates to explore their beliefs and understand why they feel so strongly about this issue.

She then travels to New York City, where she meets a former police officer who reveals the dangers of illegal firearms in urban areas. Police officers have a harrowing job of ensuring that these guns do not make it to the streets and the mafia and large criminal industries are responsible for the smuggling of these guns to the bad actors in society. The former officer recounts stories of the shootouts and tragedies that he has witnessed due to the presence of these guns, and the devastating impact that they have on communities.

Next, Mariana goes undercover in Florida, where she seeks out a convicted felon who is barred from owning guns legally. She manages to convince him to sell her a gun, and the transaction is caught on hidden camera. This illustrates the shocking ease with which someone can acquire deadly weapons, even if they are prohibited from possessing them. Mariana then meets with a firearms dealer who shows her how easy it is to loophole the existing gun laws, as he displays a range of high-powered, military-style weapons that can be legally owned in many states without any background checks. This is perceivingly a large issue in various states in the US; the loopholes in existing laws make it easier for nefarious elements to procure guns from the black market.

Mariana then heads to Mexico, where she uncovers a thriving black market in illegal weapons that have crossed the border from the United States. She meets with one of the notorious gangs in Mexico to witness the havoc created by illegal firearms and how they buy the firearms and smuggle it across the border. The market of illegal guns is not efficiently curtailed, which has made acquiring guns easier for drug cartels that are responsible for a significant amount of violence in South America.

Throughout her journey, Mariana highlights the impact of firearms on our society. She demonstrates how easy it is to obtain a gun in America and how several existing gun laws can be circumvented with relative ease. Mariana also highlights the devastating consequences of this ease of access, from mass shootings to gang violence. She urges society to have a more comprehensive conversation about the impact of firearms on our communities and work towards strengthening gun laws.

"Guns" is a thought-provoking episode that offers new insights into the firearms trade and its impact on society. Mariana skillfully navigates the complexities of this politically charged issue while shedding light on the injustices and consequences of inadequate gun control laws.