Durham gun data: 20 more firearms seized in 2023 than year prior

The Durham County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday released gun data from this past January and all of 2023.

According to officials, in 2023:

Here's how those numbers compare with 2022:

In January alone in Durham County, 21 firearms were seized, three firearms were reported stolen and one firearm was recovered.

There is some good news. As a direct result of recent gun buyback events, where people with guns can turn guns in for cash -- no questions asked -- the sheriff's office removed approximately 650 guns off the streets of Durham since 2022.

The most recent gun buyback took place in November, when 147 weapons were voluntarily turned in.

Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said most firearms are stolen from unlocked cars.

"Firearms being stolen from unsecured motor vehicles remain a challenge and our Patrol Units continue seizing weapons off the streets connected to various criminal activity," Birkhead said.

Unlocked cars contribute to a high rise in gun cases among juveniles

In November, Durham released a report on violent crime in 2023.