At least 32 people were shot in Philadelphia over Memorial Day weekend.

By Monday, at least seven had died.

Gun violence is surging in the city, which for the past three years has set new records

for homicides.

Last year, nearly 1800 people were shot and survived.

This episode of our local spotlight series is zooming in on what's happening in Philadelphia.

Reporters at the Philadelphia Enquirer investigated one part of the puzzle of increasing gun violence

in their city.

Strong purchases.

Those are guns that are purchased legally with the illegal intent of giving or selling

them to someone else.

City officials have tried to enact tougher policies aimed at curbing the practice, but were

stymied by the state legislature, which supports lacks or gun laws.

It's happening in Philadelphia reflects a similar trend nationwide.

Other cities and states have found ways to push back on illegal trafficking.

The issue was attracted federal attention too.

The bipartisan Safer Communities Act passed last summer stiffened penalties for straw purchasing.

We'll be back after this short break and dig into straw purchases with help from the

Philadelphia Enquirer.

And later in the show, we hear from the head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,

and Explosives.

Steve Dettelback.

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