LMPD confiscates over 250 guns from minors, repeat offenders in Louisville neighborhoods

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- So far this year, Louisville Metro Police officers in the city's First Division have confiscated more than 250 guns. Officials said many of them come from minors and convicted felons in the Russell neighborhood.

First Division Maj. Bryan Edelen said he doesn't know how many more guns will be confiscated by the end of the year. 

"That's dictated by people in the community, people out there committing these acts," Edelen said. 

Besides the Russell neighborhood, dozens of guns have also been taken from people in the downtown area, including the Portland, Russell and Phoenix Hill neighborhoods.

Edelen said he "absolutely" believes lives have been saved because those guns are off the streets. He added that it's common for convicted felons who aren't allowed to own guns to have them anyways. 

At least a half-dozen convicted felons were arrested for this in the past two weeks.

The punishment is often jail time, or a fine of 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 guns were stolen, and found with drugs, such as cocaine and cannabis. 

Police have also taken several guns from children.

"We have had some high profile incidents involving guns with our youth, especially in the first division bus stops and a few other incidents near some schools," Edelen said. "We are increasing our visibility."

Increasing visibility with proactive policing and "sustained focus improvement areas," which is a new initiative. Officers have their boots on the ground in focused areas, such as the Russell neighborhood.

"It's not just traffic stops, pedestrian stops," Edelen said. "It is an opportunity to speak with anyone and everyone in that community."

Edelen said officers are looking for illegal behavior, rather than setting out to find these guns. There's no quota, but he said the number of illegal handguns seized this year is far more than his officers have collected in past years. He also said the city has a "huge problem with car break-ins" and "people leaving guns in cars."

With so many stolen guns on the streets, he's asking for the community's help.

"Do not make this easy for the people who are looking for these guns to carry out an act," Edelen said. "Lock your cars, put your guns in a safe place."

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