Operation Save-A-Casing

Operation Save-A-Casing is a partnership with law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level and the community to combat firearm-related crime.

The campaign works by submitting two firearm casings to a Wichita Police Department Officer after a gun theft has occurred. These casings are then submitted into National Integrated Ballistic Information Network known as NIBIN. NIBIN is a national database containing digital images of spent bullets and cartridge casings that were found at crime scenes or test-fired from confiscated firearms. This database can be searched for possible matches and if a "hit" occurs, the NIBIN lab sends that information to WPD investigators.

NIBIN stands for National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. It was established in 1999 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms.

A "hit" is a match between the submitted casing and the NIBIN database. These matches are compared against specific "tool marks" which are microscopic etchings made by the firearm manufacturer. These markings get transferred on to the casing when the gun is fired.

When your gun is stolen, you will provide two casings that were fired from the firearm that you are reporting stolen. Place those casings in an envelope, and write the serial number, make and model of your firearm on the outside. Then hand that envelope to the officer taking your report.

No. Your participation is completely voluntary, however, we encourage the community to take part in an effort to reduce violent crime involving firearms.

As a gun owner, you will store your casings and firearm information in your home, separate from where you store your respective firearm. In the event your firearm is stolen, you will give that information to the reporting officer and they will submit it to NIBIN, where it will be compared against their existing database.

The shell casing can confirm the identity of the firearm. If the information and bullet casing are submitted to the NIBIN system after a weapon is stolen, WPD will be able to return the firearm to its owner.

No. There is no cost involved in participating in this campaign.

There are several partners involved in this initiative including the following agencies: Wichita Police Department, Garden City Police Department, ATF, FBI, US Attorney's Office, District Attorney's Office, DEA and the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department and Wichita State University.

You will provide your casings when reporting your firearm stolen. The Wichita Police Officer taking the report will submit them to NIBIN.

NIBIN only captures and stores firearms evidence and fired ammunition components as part of a criminal investigation. It cannot collect this information when the firearm is manufactured or prior to a criminal event such as the firearm being stolen.

No, reporting the stolen gun to the authorities demonstrates a level of concern equal to that of a person who wants the gun recovered to minimize harm to the community. Liability then falls onto the person currently in possession of the gun at the time of the crime.

If your gun is used in a crime, the gun will be held during the entire duration of the investigation of the crime, the court proceedings or longer. This timeframe can be dependent on the type of crime, the initial court proceeding and any appellate process.

Please contact Captain Clay Germany with any questions. He can be reached by email at cgermany@wichita.gov, or by phone at 316.268.4646