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New program to crack down on stolen guns in Volusia, Flagler counties finds success

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Officials have put a task force together to deal with a rise in crime involving young men in two local counties.

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Prosecutors and law enforcement are calling the stolen guns that end up in the hands of children used in crimes an epidemic.

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Officials said they’ve already seen results in the six months it’s been around.

The ATF’s National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) came after two 16-year-olds were killed in Bunnell months apart.

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The state attorney’s office said it’s seen a spike in guns being stolen from unlocked cars and being used in shootings and robberies.

Since the program launched at the end of May, law enforcement has made more than 190 arrests and is prosecuting more than 200 cases. The defendants range from 12 to 28. The state attorney’s office said it has already gotten convictions on some of these cases which are now awaiting sentencing.

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.