Topeka gun recoveries jump 14.5% from year prior
TOPEKA (KSNT) - In 2022, there were 4,503 firearms recovered in Kansas. Topeka had the third-highest number of firearms recovered in the state with 672 recoveries, a 14.5% increase from the year prior.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) maintains a national registry of machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, silencers and destructive devices under the National Firearms Act.
The ATF compiles data with a one-year delay to comply with the Trade Secrets Act. For example, data released in 2014 would cover the 2012 calendar year. The ATF doesn't include duplicate traces, non-recovered firearms, firearms turned in or gun buybacks in its data.
Firearm trace data is used by law enforcement to investigate and track the sales and possession of specific firearms. Not all firearms used in crime are traced and not all firearms traced are used in crime, according to the ATF.
CZ-USA out of Kansas City was the largest manufacturer of firearms producing nearly 70% of all firearms made in Kansas with more than 13,000 pistols and 350 rifles.
"ATF recognizes the role that firearms play in violent crimes and pursues an integrated regulatory and enforcement strategy. Investigative priorities focus on armed violent offenders and career criminals, narcotics traffickers, narco-terrorists, violent gangs, and domestic and international arms traffickers."
ATF website on firearms statistics.
Firearm types recovered in Kansas
| Type | 2021 | 2022 | Percent change |
| Pistols | 3,146 | 3,447 | 9% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rifles | 470 | 456 | -3% |
| Revolvers | 360 | 277 | -30% |
| Shotguns | 265 | 275 | 3% |
| Derringers | 22 | 25 | 12% |
| Machineguns | 15 | 24 | 37% |
| Receivers/Frames | 11 | 9 | -22% |
| Other* | 14 | 8 | -75% |
| Total | 4,303 | 4,521 | 5% |
Time-to-crime 2021 in Kansas
| Time-to-crime | 2021 | 2022 |
| Under 3 Months | 322 | 316 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Months to Under 7 Months | 309 | 268 |
| 7 Months to Under 1 Year | 318 | 314 |
| 1 Year to Under 2 Years | 535 | 616 |
| 2 Years to Under 3 Years | 246 | 401 |
| 3 Years and Over | 1,734 | 1,880 |
Age of possessors in Kansas
| Age | 2021 | 2022 |
| 17 and Under | 146 | 201 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 21 | 446 | 535 |
| 22 to 24 | 319 | 349 |
| 25 to 30 | 577 | 584 |
| 31 to 40 | 789 | 765 |
| 41 to 50 | 441 | 440 |
| Over 50 | 357 | 414 |
Top Cities for Recoveries in Kansas
| City | 2021 | 2022 |
| Wichita | 1,718 | 1,526 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 648 | 745 |
| Topeka | 575 | 672 |
| Shawnee | 142 | 108 |
| Salina | 114 | 106 |
| Lenexa | 103 | 102 |
| Garden City | 100 | 92 |
| Junction City | 81 | 90 |
| Lawrence | 81 | 90 |
| Olathe | 78 | 88 |
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.