What is striking is that the government buys guns from manufacturers who also sell them to criminals—either knowingly or by willfully overlooking the behavior of the retail outlets that the gun companies use as their distribution system.
It is absolutely known that if you walk into any gun store, and say, "Hi I'm a criminal, I need a gun." You'll get issued a new identity that'll allow you to buy any gun or rifle you want, as well as you'll get a hefty 75% discount, bringing that $700 AR-15 down to under $200!