Guns Off the Streets: Over 100 Seized in Orlando’s Federal Crackdown

ORLANDO, FL – A sweeping six-month crackdown on gun violence in Orlando has resulted in over 100 firearms being taken off the streets, according to U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III. Since June 1, 2016, more than 40 individuals have been charged with various firearms or violent crime offenses.

Bentley announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Florida has actively participated in the national strategy to reduce gun-violence through “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” which includes collaboration with local and federal law enforcement partners. This effort culminated in the establishment of a dedicated “Gun Unit” earlier this year, tasked with reviewing and identifying firearms and violent crime cases for federal prosecution.

Key charges include possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking or violence, possession of stolen firearms, and robbery. The seizures are part of an aggressive stance against those who illegally possess and use firearms within Central Florida communities.

Bentley expressed gratitude to local, state, and federal partners for their investigative efforts, emphasizing the commitment to continue working together in the fight against gun violence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also engaged with community partners to develop youth prevention and intervention strategies.

These cases, investigated by agencies ranging from the Orlando Police Department to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), are being prosecuted under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods Program. The federal cases are led by a team of Assistant United States Attorneys, with state cases coordinated by various judicial circuits.

The successful effort underscores the collaborative power of local, state, and federal agencies in tackling gun violence head-on.