August 6, 2021 - WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released federal firearms licensee (FFL) burglary and theft data today for the first six months of calendar year 2021. ATF data shows a marked decrease in the number of FFL burglaries and robberies and the number of stolen firearms.

From January through June 2021, FFLs reported 111 burglaries resulting in an estimated 959 stolen firearms. Compared to the same period in 2020, which had 284 burglaries with 3,703 stolen firearms, the number of burglary incidents so far in 2021 has decreased by 61 percent and the number of firearms stolen has decreased by 74 percent.
“When firearms are stolen from legitimate gun stores, they risk falling into the hands of violent criminals and pose a serious threat to community safety,” commented ATF Acting Director Marvin G. Richardson. “For this reason, ATF works closely with federal firearms licensees (known as FFLs) and industry groups to enhance security and reduce the risk of thefts. This data demonstrates that our collaborative efforts to secure FFL inventories are making a positive difference. It is yet another way that ATF works diligently to reduce violent crime in our communities.”

ATF has a 100% response to FFL burglaries and robberies and uses the combined expertise of its special agents and industry operations investigators to apprehend those responsible and recover the stolen firearms.

ATF uses a collaborative and intelligence-driven approach to investigate these crimes. ATF Crime Gun Intelligence Centers integrate information developed by our local and state partners with firearm tracing results, ballistics analysis through ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN), social-media analysis and other investigative tools. ATF also works with FFLs and industry groups, providing guidance on best practices to enhance security and ways to diminish the risk of firearms thefts.

ATF’s relationships with law enforcement partners, FFLs, and industry groups are essential to reducing violent crime and crimes against responsible firearms dealers. ATF is committed to apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for these crimes and underscoring the best practices that FFLs can implement to enhance safety and security.

2019-2021 Data Summary

• The overall number of burglary incidents in 2020 increased by 99 percent as compared to the same period in June 2019. The number of firearms stolen increased by 99 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019.
• The overall number of burglary incidents in 2021 decreased by 61 percent as compared to the same period, in June 2020. The number of firearms stolen decreased by 74 percent in 2021 as compared to 2020.

For more information on FFL Theft/Loss Reports: https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/data-statistics.

Information specific to theft and losses by state and/or territory will be made available in ATF’s annual FFL Theft/Loss Report generally published in February of the next calendar year.

Note: The number of incidents may increase or decrease if incidents have been misclassified or not reported timely. Furthermore, the number of firearms stolen may increase if additional firearms are determined to be stolen after the initial theft/loss report is filed or decrease if firearms reported stolen are found in inventory or are determined to have been transferred.

Source: ATF