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Nassau County DA creates gun investigation unit after sharp increase in gun seizures

This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle shows a homemade firearm, a "ghost gun," that federal agents say was recovered on Feb. 6, 2020, from a home in Edmonds, Wash.
U.S. Attorney's Office via AP
This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle shows a homemade firearm, a "ghost gun," that federal agents say was recovered on Feb. 6, 2020, from a home in Edmonds, Wash.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly is creating a new gun investigation unit after what she said is a staggering increase in seized firearms.

According to the DA’s office, 94 guns have been seized by Nassau law enforcement in 2022. That’s double the number over the same period last year. Donnelly said 28 of the guns seized this year were so-called ghost guns, which are made from kits and can be purchased without a background check.

To combat this, Donnelly created what she is calling a long-term investigations unit focused on gun-running. She said most illegal guns are trafficked from southern states along the I95 corridor. She said the new firearm suppression unit will share intelligence with other federal and local partners.

In her announcement, she highlighted the recent arrests of a New York City firefighter and a dentist who were charged with criminal possession of nearly 40 assault weapons.

Charles is senior reporter focusing on special projects. He has won numerous awards including an IRE award, three SPJ Public Service Awards, and a National Murrow. He was also a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists and Third Coast Director’s Choice Award.