NIBIN Machine Deployment for Gun Crime Analytics in Southern New Mexico

AG: New Mexico Press Releases

Published April 2nd, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart announced the placement of a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) machine with the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office. This is part of a statewide network providing ballistic analysis technology to connect gun casings from crime scenes. The NMDOJ Crime Gun Intelligence Center, the first housed within an attorney general's office in the country, will analyze results from NIBIN machines located across the state.

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What changed

The New Mexico Attorney General's office announced deployment of a NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network) machine to the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, one of four machines funded by the state. The NIBIN system enables law enforcement to conduct ballistic analysis on gun casings and share results statewide through a network connected to the Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Albuquerque. Since January 1, CGIC partner agencies have entered over 250 ballistic acquisitions into the system, linking ten firearms to 24 separate shooting incidents statewide.

This is an informational announcement about law enforcement technology deployment. No immediate action is required from the public or regulated entities. The NIBIN network enhances investigative capabilities for law enforcement agencies throughout New Mexico, with no compliance deadlines, penalties, or new obligations for outside parties.

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Attorney General Raúl Torrez & Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart Highlight Advancements to Solve Gun Crimes in Southern New Mexico

April 2, 2026

Las Cruces, NM – Today, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart announced the placement of a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) machine with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. This NIBIN machine is part of a statewide network providing start-to-finish information gathering and intelligence analytics that connect gun casings from crime scenes utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

“Today’s announcement of a NIBIN machine in Doña Ana County represents a significant step forward in our statewide effort to solve gun crimes more quickly and hold violent offenders accountable,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “This technology strengthens local investigations, enhances coordination across jurisdictions, and ensures that law enforcement agencies in southern New Mexico have the tools they need to protect our communities.”

“Having easier access to a NIBIN site in southern New Mexico reflects a shared commitment among law enforcement agencies to work smarter, faster and more collaboratively,” said Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart. “By leveraging this technology, we can identify links between shootings, share actionable intelligence, recover critical investigative leads and build on regional trust that ultimately makes our communities safer. This is real time crime fighting.”

In December 2025, Attorney General Torrez announced the first Crime Gun Intelligence Center housed within an attorney general’s office in the country. The New Mexico Department of Justice’s (NMDOJ) Crime Gun Intelligence Center now uses forensic evidence to find connections between firearms used in crimes across the state. The information collected helps law enforcement in every corner of New Mexico identify key suspects, witnesses and other key information.

Attorney General Torrez also announced in December that the NMDOJ has received the funding to acquire four NIBIN machines to be located with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Gallup Police Department, the Roswell Police Department and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement officers are using these machines to conduct highly technical inspections of gun casings, which provide meaningful leads connecting crimes and firearms used in crimes across the state. These machines will share information via the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Albuquerque, where trained NMDOJ staff will analyze the results and produce leads for partnering law enforcement agencies.

Since January 1, CGIC partner agencies have entered over 250 ballistic acquisitions into the NIBIN system, with weekly submission rates accelerating across all active sites. Additionally, CGIC intelligence products have linked ten firearms to 24 separate shooting incidents statewide — giving investigators connections they would not have had otherwise and turning individual cases into patterns.