How ATF’s cutting edge tools are helping reduce gun violence nationwide
WASHINGTON - A new ATF analysis using national crime‑gun intelligence reveals a promising trend: firearm‑related crime is dropping across the United States, and ATF’s tools and partnerships are proving essential to driving that decline.
The findings come from a direct comparison of 2024 and 2025 crime‑gun data, giving a clear year‑to‑year picture of how gun violence and law enforcement submissions changed nationwide. To understand the connections between gun‑related crime and use of ATF’s tools by law enforcement across the country, ATF analyzed multiple independent datasets. These datasets included police reporting data via the National Incident-Based Reporting System, crime‑gun tracing data via ATF’s Firearms Tracing System, and ballistic imaging data via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) Enforcement Support System.
The data showed that gun‑related incidents reported by law enforcement dropped 12% nationwide, even as crime‑gun trace submissions declined by only 3% and ballistic imaging entries decreased by just 0.2%.
While submissions to ATF’s analytical systems did decline slightly during this period, the relatively modest decline is reflective of reduced criminal activity rather than diminished engagement or capability.
How ATF helps drive these results
While eTrace and NIBIN systems aren’t common knowledge these tools quietly support thousands of investigations every week and help law enforcement solve gun crimes more efficiently.
For example, ATF’s eTrace system allows police to submit crime guns for tracing, helping them identify where a gun came from, when it was purchased, and who bought it. These traces help investigators uncover trafficking patterns, follow repeat purchasers, and connect guns recovered in crime scenes to broader criminal networks. The eTrace trace-to-crime ratio, which assesses traces compared to reported crime-gun incidents, grew 9.4% in 2025, meaning police departments submitted more guns for tracing relative to the firearm‑related incidents reported.
NIBIN use continued to grow in 2025, increasing 13.4% nationwide. Submissions rose in 22 states and Washington, D.C., and the number of sites using NIBIN expanded by 11%. NIBIN helps investigators match fired bullets and cartridge cases to specific firearms, revealing links to other shootings and speeding up casework. As agencies use NIBIN more often, they generate more leads, giving law enforcement more opportunities to identify suspects, connect cases, and stop violent offenders.
Next Steps
ATF will intensify its work with local agencies to expand participation in eTrace, NIBIN, and reporting systems that strengthen the national intelligence picture. To maximize impact, ATF will concentrate outreach and support in states where broader use of these tools can make the biggest difference, including key locations along the East Coast such as New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C.
The analysis shows why this focus matters: firearms trafficking remains a major challenge in this corridor, where these jurisdictions continue to recover more than half of their crime guns from out‑of‑state sources. In 2025 alone, out‑of‑state recoveries accounted for 67.5% of crime guns in D.C., 55.0% in New York, and 53.7% in New Jersey, underscoring the need for sustained, targeted enforcement and expanded use of ATF’s tools to disrupt these trafficking pipelines.
ATF’s new assessment shows real momentum in how police departments are using ATF’s tools, and it highlights where continued collaboration can deliver even greater results. By expanding the use of eTrace, NIBIN, and comprehensive reporting systems, law enforcement agencies can more effectively identify violent offenders and disrupt the firearm trafficking routes that fuel gun crime. America is safest when agencies work together, and ATF remains fully committed to supporting every partner in that mission. For assistance, training, or to connect with ATF directly, agencies can reach their local ATF field office or visit ATF.gov/contact for more information.
