LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville Metro Police say more than 250 guns have been confiscated this year in the city’s First Division, many of them taken from minors and convicted felons in the Russell neighborhood.
First Division Major Bryan Edelen said he couldn’t predict how many more guns might be taken off the streets before the end of the year.
“That’s dictated by people in the community, people out there committing these acts,” Edelen said.
Beyond the Russell area, dozens of additional firearms have been seized from offenders in downtown Louisville, including the Portland, Russell, and Phoenix Hill neighborhoods.
Edelen said he “absolutely” believes that lives have been saved because those weapons are no longer in circulation. He noted it’s common for convicted felons, who are legally barred from owning firearms, to still be found carrying them.
In the past two weeks alone, at least six convicted felons were arrested for illegal gun possession, which can lead to jail time or fines up to $10,000.
“We’re looking at that as an opportunity to prevent the next death in the area,” Edelen said.
Many of the seized weapons were stolen and often recovered alongside drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. Police have also taken several guns from children, raising concerns about youth access to firearms.
“We’ve had some high-profile incidents involving guns with our youth, especially at bus stops and near schools,” Edelen said. “We are increasing our visibility.”
That increased visibility comes through proactive policing and a new initiative called “Sustained Focus Improvement Areas,” where officers concentrate their presence in targeted neighborhoods like Russell.
“It’s not just traffic stops or pedestrian stops,” Edelen explained. “It’s an opportunity to talk with anyone and everyone in the community.”
Edelen emphasized that officers aren’t setting quotas but are focusing on identifying illegal behavior. He noted that the number of handguns confiscated this year is significantly higher than in past years.
Louisville also faces a major problem with car break-ins, with many stolen guns traced back to vehicles.
“Do not make this easy for the people who are looking for these guns to carry out an act,” Edelen warned. “Lock your cars and secure your guns safely.”
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