Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BOSTON — The Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives hosted a multi-state crime gun intelligence conference today, bringing together law enforcement officials from 10 states to collaborate on crime gun intelligence and information sharing to decrease and deter violent gun crimes.

The ATF Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson along with Newark Field Division SAC Jeffrey L. Matthews, New York Field Division SAC John B. DeVito, and Philadelphia Field Division SAC Matthew P. Varisco were joined by law enforcement representatives from Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire.

The multi-state consortium convened to share intelligence, tools, tactics, and strategies to combat gun violence, especially as it relates to the trafficking of firearms between states. They discussed issues of mutual concern surrounding firearm-related investigations, policing strategies and best practices along with ways to improve gun data sharing across local, state and federal information networks.

“A comprehensive and collaborative approach to firearms investigations is critical to preventing the next shooting and eliminating the flow of illegal firearms related to the shootings, which remains the ultimate goal,” said Boston Field Division's Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson.

ATF provided a detailed briefing on the agency’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers, specifically the New York CGIC, and its unprecedented partnership with NYPD. The New York CGIC, co-located with NYPD’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, provides evidence-based technology to develop and evolve violent gun reduction strategies. The partnership allows for a seamless flow of information, enabling law enforcement to identify and link the sources of guns used in violent crimes.

“Along with identifying the trigger pullers, the New York CGIC seeks to identify and disrupt the firearm supply chain and any illegal marketplaces to prevent the diversion of firearms to our streets, corners and back alleys,” said John DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF New York Field Division.
 
This is the second time the group has met to discuss such issues. The first meeting was held at the New York State Intelligence Center last summer.

The group will meet throughout the year in this unified approach; the continued collaboration between the 10 states is essential in the sharing and dissemination of crime gun intelligence to stem the flow of firearms trafficking and reduction in violent crime.   

More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

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