COLUMBUS – Local, state, and federal leaders on Tuesday unveiled the new Central Ohio Crime Gun Intelligence Center, a centralized hub focused entirely on investigating and preventing gun violence.
Operated in partnership between the Columbus Divion of Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the centerpiece of the Central Ohio CGIC, which has been operating since July is the use of the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, developed by the ATF to help law enforcement connect gun crimes nationwide.
The crimefighting hub combines the expertise of firearm evidence examiners, intelligence analysts, and investigators under one roof to rapidly collect, analyze, and share information about guns used in violent crimes, officials said.
“The teams taking part in this large-scale and long-term collaboration are sharing everything from intelligence and investigative leads to technology and manpower so that they can zero in on the people who are shooting and killing others without remorse,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.
“Gun violence is about to become much, much harder to get away with in Central Ohio,” DeWine said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is dedicating two Ballistic Information Network machines to the center, which will create digital images of shell casings connected to criminal investigations and compare them to firearm evidence from other crimes. A match indicates that the same firearm may have been used in multiple shootings, and law enforcement can use this information as an investigative lead.
Gun buy-back scheduled
The Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, in partnership with the Columbus Division of Police, will host a gun buyback drive-thru event on Sept. 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot at Trinity Baptist Church, 461 St. Clair Avenue.
Gift cards of up to $750.00 will be given in exchange for handguns, assault rifles, non-assault rifles and shotguns. All other firearms, including replica, antique, and non-working guns, will also be accepted and eligible for ONE $25 gift card regardless of the number or condition of the firearms turned in.