WHEREAS, the reduction of firearms-related crime has been and continues to be a major goal of the IACP; and

WHEREAS, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has created the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) program as a partnership with state and local law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, through NIBIN, ATF provides comprehensive support to state and local forensic laboratories, including ballistic imaging and comparison, maintenance and upgrades, a communications network, and user training; and

WHEREAS, as their part of the partnership, NIBIN partner agencies provide personnel to enter crime gun evidence and evaluate potential “hits”; and

WHEREAS, use of ballistic imaging and comparison equipment allows state and local forensic laboratories to conduct an initial comparison of thousands of pieces of crime gun evidence in seconds, and this capability alerts firearms examiners to potential links between crimes not otherwise known to be related; and

WHEREAS, the NIBIN network enables agencies to pool their evidence and to work together more effectively against criminals operating in multiple jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, NIBIN partner agencies not able to make maximum use of the system have given lack of available funding and personnel in forensic laboratories as a primary reason; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the IACP recommend the NIBIN program, and make this recommendation known to its members and other law enforcement organizations; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP present Congress with our recommendation that ATF’s resources be maintained at sufficient levels to provide the vital federal support for this program; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP present state and local authorities with our recommendations that state and local law enforcement resources be increased, enabling participating agencies to gain the maximum benefit from the NIBIN program; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the IACP present Congress with our recommendation that additional funding sources be found at the federal level to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in maintaining sufficient staffing at forensic laboratories nationwide; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Governing Body of the IACP present copies of this resolution to all IACP members and ATF.