COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has opened a new Central Ohio Regional Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Columbus, a hub dedicated solely to investigating and preventing gun violence. The center brings firearm evidence examiners, intelligence analysts and investigators under one roof to rapidly collect, analyze and share information about guns used in violent crimes.
The Columbus facility is the second such center operating in Ohio and one of more than 60 run by ATF across the country. Federal officials said centers like it have a track record of helping solve violent crimes, bring repeat shooters to justice and reduce rates of gun violence through tighter coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the intelligence the centers produce and the collaboration they facilitate represent the best of what federal law enforcement can achieve working hand-in-hand with state and local partners. ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said the agency is thrilled with the progress already made in Ohio and looks forward to a long and successful partnership fighting violent crime.