U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced on April 9 that he will open a one-day training session focused on firearms intelligence and trends, offered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Eastern Panhandle.
The event aims to improve law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute firearm-related violent crime by providing updated knowledge on crime gun investigative tools. The training is designed for law enforcement officers and prosecutors who work with gun crimes.
“I commend the ATF for keeping our law enforcement partners on the cutting edge of firearms tracing and technology that is critical to solving gun crimes and preventing further violence,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “With effective firearms investigations, we can ensure that those committing violent crimes are held accountable.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge John Nokes said, “This eight-hour training course is designed to enhance the capabilities of our law enforcement partners and prosecutors in investigating and prosecuting firearm-related violent crime.” He added, “Participants will receive instruction on the latest crime gun investigative tools and techniques, including firearms tracing, emerging firearm and 3D-printing technologies, and advanced resources such as ATF’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).”
The course includes information about current trends in gun crimes, methods for effective firearms tracing, a demonstration of the NIBIN machine—which connects shell casings nationwide—and an overview of new technologies like 3D-printed weapons. The session offers eight hours of education credits through LEPS.
The free training takes place at Jefferson High School in Shenandoah Junction from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday.
