BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Police have seized 437 firearms since the start of 2026, and city leaders say the continued effort to get illegal guns off the streets is paying off, with shooting incidents down compared to recent averages.
Mayor Sean Ryan and Police Commissioner Erika Shields showcased the seized weapons on Monday, saying the haul reflects a sustained push against gun violence in the city.
"We take every shooting seriously. And we're not declaring victory, but it's important to note and to celebrate the good work," Ryan said.
The Buffalo Police Department has made more than 282 gun arrests in 2026. There have been 71 shooting incidents so far this year, which is 46% fewer than the city's previous 10-year average, according to city officials.
"Each weapon represents what could be a potential homicide or a serious crime," Shields said, surrounded by tables full of the seized firearms.
WATCH: Buffalo Police seize 400+ illegal guns this year to date as city continues to combat gun violence
The showcase comes weeks after a violent Fourth of July weekend that saw 11 people shot in six separate shooting incidents. Ryan said those incidents account for a 10% spike in shooting victims this year compared to the same period last year. Still, the broader recent trend remains positive, with all shooting incidents down over a 3-year average, including a 44% reduction in the number of shooting homicides.
Shields credited a combination of patrol work and intelligence-led policing for the progress.
"You're drawing on open data sources, confidential informants, leads that tell you this is where you need to be looking for illegal guns," Shields said. "It's not just throwing spaghetti on a wall, which is unfortunately how policing was done so often in the past."
The BPD also offered a look inside an evidence vault holding guns used in homicide cases. Each box contains 25 handguns, with some stored for decades.
Shields said approximately 7% to 10% of the illegal weapons recovered are ghost guns — self-made, 3D-printed firearms. Ryan said the rest come to Buffalo through the "iron pipeline" from southern states, or are stolen from gun owners who have not secured their weapons.
"Our community, like so many across America, falls victim to the decision-making of a few individuals committed to engaging in illegal behavior. This police department will not back down to these few," Shields said.
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