Fact Sheet - Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGIC)
Fast Facts
ATF's Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs) serve as intelligence hubs and coordination centers for local, state and federal responses to mass shootings and other major crimes involving firearms.
CGICs use cutting-edge forensic science and crime gun evidence to support the investigation and prosecution of violent criminals.
CGICs are an interagency collaboration between ATF, partner law enforcement agencies, forensics labs, academic institutions and prosecutors committed to stopping gun crimes.
The Numbers
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ATF launched its CGICs in July 2016 as interagency collaborations designed to collect, analyze and distribute intelligence data about crime guns, mass shootings, and major incidents across multiple jurisdictions. CGICs provide investigative leads and support to crime gun intelligence initiatives across the United States and beyond.
CGICs use vital tools such as ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to support their mission. NIBIN compares ballistic evidence cross-jurisdictionally between crime scenes, connecting shootings and recovered firearms. These connections, also called NIBIN “leads”, help law enforcement identify shooters more quickly and disrupt shooting cycles.
ATF CGICs take a preventative approach to violent crime by targeting and prosecuting the sources of crime guns. ATF’s key tool in this effort is eTrace, a secure, web-based law enforcement network run by ATF’s National Tracing Center (NTC). Participating CGIC law enforcement agencies conduct comprehensive tracing of all recovered crime guns which when successful identify the first retail purchaser of the firearm. Investigators use this data to uncover patterns of firearms trafficking, identify illegal and “straw” firearm purchasers, and develop leads to disrupt the use of firearms in violent crimes.
CGICs are staffed by ATF special agents and industry operations investigators, other law enforcement agencies, forensics experts, intelligence specialists and state and federal prosecutors focused on stopping violent gun crimes. These close partnerships allow CGICs to provide actionable intelligence that is specific to local communities, resulting in more communication, investigative leads, and prosecutions.
Combating Violent Crime
CGICs disrupt the shooting cycle by identifying, targeting and prosecuting shooters and their sources of crime guns. These continued efforts directly support the Department of Justice’s initiatives to reduce gun violence.
Additional Resources
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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms
and Explosives
www.atf.gov
