The Program

Save-A-Casing is a partnership with law enforcement agencies and the community to combat firearm related crime.

Who do I contact if my firearm is stolen?

• Call 336-373-2222 to report your firearm as stolen. Let reporting officer know you have casings for GPD to assist with investigating/recovering firearm.

   

  How does Save-A-Casing program work?

• All firearm owners are encouraged to keep two shell casings in the provided envelope with firearm information in your home, separate from where you store your respective firearm. In the event your firearm is stolen, report and provide labeled envelope with the shell casings to the Greensboro Police Department. These casings are then submitted into National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) where casings will be compared against the existing database to assist with investigation & recovery.

   

  What is NIBIN?

• NIBIN stands for the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network. It was established in 1999 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes involving firearms. NIBIN uses microscopic marks that are imparted onto a cartridge case to establish links between cartridge cases recovered on different crime scenes or test fires to crime scenes.

   

  What information will I need to provide?

• GPD can supply you with an information envelope to keep two casings per firearm in a secure location in your residence. Information to list on envelope includes: Owner name/address & Firearm type/serial #/purchase information.

   

  Is this program mandatory?

• No, your participation is completely voluntary. We encourage the community to take part the Save-A-Casing program in an effort to reduce violent crime involving firearms.
  
  

Where is the information stored?

• As a firearm 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 casings and firearm information to the Greensboro Police Department to submit casings to NIBIN database.

   

  How can this program help law enforcement find my firearm?

• If the information and shell/cartridge (not bullet) casings are submitted to the NIBIN system after a weapon is stolen, GPD will be able to return the firearm to its owner if/when recovered.

   

  Is there a cost involved?

• No, there is no cost involved in participating in this voluntary program.

   

  Who is involved in this program?

• There are several partners involved in this program including the Greensboro Police Department, NCA&T Police, UNCG Police, GC Police, Guilford County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, FBI, US Attorney’s Office, District Attorney’s Office DEA.

   

  When do I provide my casings?

• You will provide your casings after reporting your firearm as stolen. You can either deliver to GPD station located at 300 S Swing Rd. Greensboro, NC 27409 or give to the reporting officer.

   

  Why can’t I send you my casings now?

• NIBIN captures and stores firearm information as a part of a criminal investigation. A cartridge case can only be entered into NIBIN after a criminal event, such as the firearm being stolen.

   

  If my firearm is stolen and used in a crime, am I liable?

• No, reporting the stolen firearm to 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 my firearm is stolen, used in a crime, and recovered, can I get my firearm back?

• If your firearm is used in a crime, the firearm 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.
  
  

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

Please contact the GPD Office of Community Engagement if you have any questions. communityengagement@greensboro-nc.gov or 336-373-2636.