ATF AND D.C. SAFE TASK FORCE SURPASS 2,000 FIREARM RECOVERIES AS ARREST TOTAL EXCEEDS 17,000

WASHINGTON — Federal and local authorities participating in the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force have recovered more than 2,000 firearms since the enforcement surge began in August 2025, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

ATF said the seizures also included large-capacity ammunition feeding devices recovered during enforcement operations across Washington, D.C. The milestone comes as the task force reports 17,056 arrests during its first year of operations.

According to figures released by ATF, those arrests include 35 connected to homicide offenses, 3,433 involving controlled substances, 1,702 involving firearms violations, and 52 involving sex offenses.

The arrest figures describe the offenses associated with enforcement actions and do not establish convictions. Each defendant remains subject to the legal status and court proceedings applicable to the individual case.

The operation has also involved hundreds of juveniles. ATF reported that 700 juveniles have been arrested, with firearms seized from 134 of them. Authorities also identified 96 people arrested during the operation as known gang members.

The task force was launched in early August 2025 at the direction of President Donald Trump and is led by U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta. More than 3,100 personnel from 28 agencies have participated in enforcement operations covering all eight wards of the District of Columbia.

Its membership includes federal and local law enforcement agencies as well as the National Guard, creating a large-scale interagency structure designed to concentrate personnel and intelligence resources on violent offenders, outstanding warrants, firearms offenses, and missing-child cases.

The task force’s stated operational priorities include arresting individuals wanted for violent offenses, clearing outstanding warrants, recovering firearms, and locating missing children.

Authorities reported that the task force has located or recovered 27 missing children since operations began.

The recovery of more than 2,000 firearms represents one of the most visible measurements of the year-long initiative. ATF Director Rob Cekada said the agency’s enforcement focus remains directed toward violent offenders and illegal firearm activity rather than lawful firearm ownership.

“Removing 2,000 crime guns from the hands of violent offenders is not just a statistic; it’s a clear demonstration of ATF’s focus on violent criminals, not law-abiding gun owners,” Cekada said.

Cekada said ATF intends to continue pursuing illegal firearm trafficking networks and investigations involving weapons connected to violent criminal activity.

Firearm-recovery operations can involve several investigative paths. Weapons may be recovered during arrests, warrant executions, searches connected to narcotics cases, fugitive apprehensions, gang investigations, or other enforcement activity. ATF crime-gun intelligence can then be used to examine where firearms originated, whether they were trafficked, whether they were possessed by prohibited individuals, and whether ballistic evidence connects them to other criminal incidents.

The 1,702 arrests involving firearms violations represent a separate measurement from the more than 2,000 firearms recovered. A single enforcement action can involve multiple firearms, while other firearms may be recovered during investigations in which the principal arrest involves a different alleged offense.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces S. Serralta called the firearm-recovery milestone a significant achievement for the task force and credited cooperation with ATF under Cekada’s leadership.

Serralta said the operation is carrying out the mission directed by President Trump and argued that removing firearms from individuals targeted by the task force has contributed to public safety in the District.

The scale of the operation extends beyond firearm enforcement. With 17,056 reported arrests, the task force has recorded thousands of arrests involving controlled substances and dozens involving homicide and sex offenses while also clearing warrants and conducting missing-child recovery efforts.

The involvement of 28 agencies also allows investigators to share intelligence across jurisdictional boundaries. Fugitive cases, trafficking investigations, firearms offenses, gang activity, and narcotics investigations can overlap, making coordination between agencies central to identifying suspects and locating individuals who move between jurisdictions.

ATF’s role includes tracing recovered firearms, examining trafficking patterns, developing crime-gun intelligence, conducting forensic analysis, and investigating unlawful firearm acquisition and possession. The agency also investigates explosives offenses and arson.

The U.S. Marshals Service brings a different operational specialty to the task force, particularly in locating and apprehending fugitives and clearing outstanding warrants. Local agencies contribute neighborhood intelligence, existing case information, patrol resources, and direct knowledge of individuals operating within the District.

ATF described the effort as a sustained enforcement operation rather than a temporary series of arrests. One year after the initiative began, participating agencies say the task force continues to pursue individuals they identify as threats to public safety throughout Washington.

The operation also reflects a distinction that remains important in firearm enforcement: possession of a firearm is not itself evidence of criminal conduct. Federal firearm cases depend on circumstances including whether the person is legally prohibited from possessing a weapon, whether a firearm was trafficked or unlawfully acquired, whether it was used during another offense, or whether other federal or local firearm laws apply.

ATF specifically framed its enforcement strategy as targeting violent offenders, prohibited possession, illegal trafficking, and criminal firearm use while protecting lawful firearm commerce and the constitutional rights of lawful gun owners.

Authorities continue to seek information from the public concerning violent crimes, firearms offenses, and wanted fugitives.

Tips concerning firearms or violent crime can be submitted to ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or anonymously through the ATF tips system.

Information concerning wanted fugitives can also be provided to the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2.

The Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force remains active, with participating agencies continuing enforcement operations throughout all eight wards of Washington, D.C.

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