ATF to Establish New Field Office on Wichita State University Campus
Strengthening Crime Gun Investigations through Strategic Partnership
WICHITA, Kan. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is excited to announce the establishment of a new field office on the Wichita State University (WSU) campus, marking a significant step in enhancing its crime gun investigation capabilities. ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada, alongside U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and WSU President Dr. Rick Muma, announced plans for this strategic expansion, building on an already robust partnership between ATF and WSU.
The new field office will complement existing ATF facilities on WSU’s campus, including the Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence (CGI-COE) and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) National Correlation and Training Center II (NNCTC II). These facilities, established through prior collaborations with Senator Moran and WSU, have solidified this hub for cutting-edge forensic analysis, ballistic evidence processing, and advanced training for law enforcement. The CGI-COE, opened in May 2023, serves as a national model, equipping local, state, tribal, and federal agencies with state-of-the-art investigative techniques, technical applications, and innovative crime gun intelligence systems to combat violent crime.
“The opening of the ATF Wichita Field Office marks another powerful step forward in our nation’s fight against violent crime,” said ATF Deputy Director Rob Cekada in follow up remarks. “Anchoring our operations on the Wichita State campus alongside the NIBIN National Correlation and Training Center II, the ATF Center of Excellence, and the Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory opening in February 2026 will establish the nation’s premier hub for crime-gun intelligence. This investment strengthens the safety of Wichita, the state of Kansas, and communities across the country. In the coming months, America’s law enforcement will look to ATF Wichita as a one-stop shop for solving gun crime by leveraging the full power of NIBIN, eTrace, and Touch DNA to disrupt gangs, cartels, and terrorists who threaten our way of life.”
The field office will enhance ATF’s ability to translate research and technological advancements into real-world law enforcement operations. Located within WSU’s Innovation Campus, the office will foster closer collaboration between ATF and law enforcement partners, creating a dynamic environment for developing and implementing strategies to address gun-related crime.
ATF’s presence at WSU has already yielded significant advancements in crime gun intelligence. The CGI-COE offers specialized training programs and conducts ballistic evidence analysis, enabling law enforcement to solve complex cases more efficiently. The NNCTC II enhances these efforts by providing advanced correlation services for ballistic evidence, helping agencies connect crimes and identify perpetrators. The addition of the field office will streamline the application of these resources, ensuring that cutting-edge tools and techniques are rapidly deployed to support investigations nationwide.
ATF is a law enforcement agency in the United States’ Department of Justice that protects our communities from violent criminals, criminal organizations, the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products. We partner with communities, industries, law enforcement, and public safety agencies to safeguard the public we serve through information sharing, training, research, and use of technology. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
