ATF To Increase Agents In The OKC Metro

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced the federal government is increasing agents in Oklahoma during a visit to Oklahoma City. 

The agency will add more agents to the Oklahoma City field office and will work with local and state law enforcement to combat gun thefts and gun violence.

ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said “It's a huge problem nationally.”

Dettelbach said data collected over a five year period indicated more than one-million firearms were reported stolen in the United States.

“When somebody breaks into your car at a mall or opens an unlocked door in a mall and takes a firearm from under a seat, it’s not going to be used for hunting.” said Dettelbach.

The Oklahoma City metro has seen a rise in gun thefts from vehicles.

Authorities said stolen firearms are landing in the hands of juveniles and felons.

Dettelbach said “Recognize this call to action to secure your firearms appropriately so they don’t hurt people.”

The ATF is working with national lawmakers on legislation to stop "straw purchasing."

Dettelbach said straw purchasing means "One person buys a firearm for somebody else and a lot of time that somebody else who couldn’t pass a background check themselves.”