Oregon — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced it has seized 36,277 illegal firearms and more than 2.3 million rounds of ammunition since January 20, 2025, as part of a nationwide enforcement effort targeting violent criminal networks.
According to the agency, 4,359 of the seized firearms were allegedly destined for Mexico, where officials say they would have been used by drug cartels and gangs. ATF also reported that 648,975 rounds of ammunition were bound for Mexico — an average of more than 1,600 rounds per day.
The enforcement activity follows President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. ATF officials said the agency has intensified operations aimed at dismantling both domestic and international firearms trafficking networks.
“Illegal crime guns increasingly originate from every state in the country. This is not a southwest border problem, it is a national threat,” said ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada. “ATF agents are aggressively targeting gangs, cartels, and transnational criminal organizations that illegally traffic firearms and turn American streets into war zones. We will dismantle these networks at every level, cut off their access to weapons, and hold every criminal fully accountable under the law.”
The ATF said its efforts focus on identifying and dismantling firearms traffickers who supply prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, undocumented immigrants, and terrorist organizations.
The agency also highlighted its use of Crime Gun Intelligence tools, including the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), firearms tracing, and touch DNA technology. Officials said those tools support partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute violent offenders.
ATF stated that while it targets illegal trafficking and violent crime, it also works to safeguard lawful firearms commerce and uphold constitutional protections.
About the Author
