Operation Press Check Enters Third Year: 112 Firearms Seized and Counting

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Fairfax County, VA – Since its official launch on January 1, 2024, the Fairfax County Police Department’s (FCPD) Operation Press Check (OPC) has delivered measurable success in keeping firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them.

Established in partnership with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, OPC strengthens investigations and prosecutions of Felon in Possession of Firearm (FIP) cases. Through collaboration, training, and intelligence-led policing, Operation Press Check has become an integral part of FCPD’s overall strategy to reduce gun violence and enhance community safety.

Progress Since OPC’s Launch

While FCPD has long prioritized removing illegally-possessed firearms from circulation, the launch of OPC in 2024 marked a turning point, resulting in a significant increase in successfully prosecuted FIP cases and firearms seized.

YearCasesFirearms SeizedNotes
20232624Pre-OPC baseline year
20246655First year of OPC implementation
2025 (YTD)3857Continuing proactive enforcement

Total since launch (2024–2025): 104 FIP cases and 112 firearms seized

Note: Case numbers may increase over time as additional investigative leads, such as those developed through National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), linking back to earlier incidents.

These figures reflect the success of proactive enforcement and the continued collaboration between FCPD detectives, prosecutors, and federal partners to identify and remove illegally-possessed firearms from our communities.

Machinegun Conversion Devices

Operation Press Check also targets weapons modified with Machinegun Conversion Devices (MCDs), commonly known as “switches.” FCPD officers and detectives have recovered and successfully prosecuted cases involving these illegally converted firearms, which pose an even greater threat to community safety.

Collaboration Across Agencies

OPC’s success stems from strong partnerships both within and beyond the department:

  • Internal partnerships unite the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU), Crime Analysis Unit (CAU), and the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy to support data-informed enforcement and advanced training.
  • External partnerships with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) enhance investigative precision and case development.

Together, these collaborations ensure every FIP case is pursued with thorough investigation and expert prosecution.

Commitment to a Safer Fairfax County

As Operation Press Check enters its third year in 2026, FCPD remains committed to identifying repeat offenders, removing illegal guns from circulation, and reinforcing the message that there is no safe place for illegal firearm possession in Fairfax County.

If you have information about illegal firearm possession, submit a tip anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or via the “P3 Tips” app. Anonymous tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards.

Register your camera with Connect Fairfax County to help FCPD solve crimes, locate missing people, and support investigations.

For ongoing updates, please read our blog and follow us on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @FairfaxCountyPD.