Over 4,000 Firearms Seized by Austin Police in Two Years

Guns recovered from crime scenes, illegal activity, and investigations across the city

Apr. 14, 2026 at 7:38pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a gun magazine or ammunition cartridge lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty reality of gun crime and the importance of gun safety.The seizure of over 4,000 firearms by Austin police underscores the need for responsible gun ownership to prevent legal weapons from being diverted to criminal use.Austin Today

The Austin Police Department has seized more than 4,000 firearms over the past two years, with many of the guns initially obtained legally before being diverted to criminal use. Gun safety advocates argue that simple steps like secure storage and prompt reporting of stolen firearms could help prevent these weapons from ending up in the wrong hands.

Why it matters

The high volume of guns seized by APD highlights the ongoing challenge of preventing legal firearms from being diverted to criminal activity. Addressing this issue is crucial for improving public safety in Austin, which has seen a rise in gun violence in recent years.

The details

According to police, the seized firearms were recovered from crime scenes, illegal activity, and various investigations across the city. Gun safety advocates say this diversion often happens through methods like straw purchases, where someone buys a gun on behalf of someone else who can't pass a background check, or by theft, as many guns are stolen from vehicles.

  • Over the past two years
  • Within 80 days of being stolen from a vehicle, a gun is likely to be used in a crime

The players

Austin Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that has seized over 4,000 firearms in the past two years.

Brady

A national gun safety and gun violence prevention organization that tracks gun store inspections and advocates for responsible gun ownership and sales practices.

Lisa Davis

The Austin Police Chief who has emphasized the importance of gun owners being responsible and reporting stolen firearms immediately.

Josh Scharff

The general counsel for Brady, who explains how many crime guns start in the legal market before being diverted to illegal use.

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What they’re saying

“The overwhelming majority of guns, of crime guns that are recovered by law enforcement start in the legal market and at some point they're diverted to the illicit market, often trafficked and then used in crime.”

— Josh Scharff, General Counsel, Brady

“A lot of the guns that we have stolen are out of vehicles. And we know that if a gun is stolen out of a vehicle, within 80 days, it most likely will be used in a crime.”

— Lisa Davis, Austin Police Chief

“You don't want to be associated with a stolen firearm that's later used in crime because it was stolen from you.”

— Josh Scharff, General Counsel, Brady

What’s next

Police said they track every recovered gun through a national database to determine if it has been used in any crimes. Guns that are not linked to criminal activity are returned to their owners, while those that cannot be identified are ultimately destroyed.

The takeaway

This high volume of gun seizures in Austin highlights the ongoing challenge of preventing legal firearms from being diverted to criminal use. Gun safety advocates argue that responsible gun ownership practices, like secure storage and prompt reporting of thefts, could help stem the flow of these weapons into the wrong hands and improve public safety in the city.