How Law Enforcement Uses the Model 5 Gun Shredder for Secure Firearm Disposal

guns after being shredded by the olnova model 5 gun shredder

Article updated October 23, 2025

Across the US, law enforcement agencies and municipalities are responsible for the secure disposal of confiscated, surrendered, and obsolete firearms. Getting this process right is about more than just compliance. It is about public safety, evidence integrity, and keeping dangerous items out of the wrong hands. Traditional methods like cutting, torching, or storing carry risks and create extra work. A specialized solution like the Olnova Model 5 E Gun Destruction Shredder is designed to make firearm destruction safe, reliable, and fully documented.

More agencies are now shifting from manual destruction methods to automated firearm shredding systems that guarantee complete destruction. These slow-speed, high-torque machines are engineered to meet ATF standards, making them essential tools for law enforcement agencies focused on public safety and operational efficiency.

What Is a Gun Shredder and Who Needs One?

A gun shredder is a machine built specifically for destroying firearms beyond use or repair. It turns weapons into unrecognizable scrap metal, removing any chance of recovery or misuse. The main users are police departments, sheriff’s offices, municipal governments, and federal agencies. Manual methods like cutting with saws or torches are slow, create safety hazards, and often fail to meet today’s strict audit requirements.

Unlike traditional cutters or torches, a dedicated industrial gun shredder provides complete destruction in a controlled, repeatable process. By using a dual-shaft design and high-torque rotation, these machines ensure that every firearm—handguns, rifles, and long guns—is rendered permanently inoperable.

Law enforcement agencies benefit from this approach not only for firearm disposal, but also for maintaining chain-of-custody integrity and audit documentation. It’s an essential step toward modernizing evidence workflows and achieving secure firearm destruction across high-volume departments.

Decommissioned firearms after shredding by the olnova model 5 gun shredder — Decommissioned firearms after shredding

Secure Firearm Destruction: How the Olnova Model 5 E Works

The Olnova Model 5 E Gun Destruction Shredder uses a static, dual-shaft design to destroy handguns, rifles and firearms. Guns are loaded into the feed hopper. Rotating shafts pull items through hardened cutters, turning them into small, unrecognizable pieces. The process prevents reassembly and leaves no usable parts behind.

The entire shredding operation is enclosed for security. The Olnova Model 5 E’s design meets the demands of agencies working under ATF and government compliance requirements, making it a fit for evidence rooms, secure facilities, and public buyback programs.

Screens inside the model 5 e gun shredder — Custom screens to hold material in the chamber for complete destruction:

The Olnova Model 5 E is built for high-torque, low-speed performance. This ensures controlled throughput, minimal vibration, and complete material breakdown even when processing large volumes of confiscated or decommissioned firearms. Unlike conventional crushers or high-speed grinders, its slow-speed operation keeps operators safe while guaranteeing consistent particle size and total destruction.

This type of industrial shredder is ideal for law enforcement agencies that need an on-site, high-performance solution for firearm disposal. The enclosed design minimizes noise, eliminates debris, and allows for safe indoor operation, which is particularly important in police evidence facilities or forensic labs.

Key Benefits of Gun Shredders for Law Enforcement and Municipalities

Safety: Gun Shredders like the Olnova Model 5 E minimizes manual handling and keeps the operator out of harm’s way. Shredding is fast, clean, and contained.

Efficiency: Designed to process large volumes, the Olnova Model 5 E can shred dozens of firearms per hour. This saves staff time and reduces backlogs.

Olnova model 5 shredder shafts — The shredder completely destroys the guns beyond use

Traceability: The system creates a documented, repeatable process for every batch of weapons destroyed. This supports chain-of-custody and compliance needs.

Cost Savings: In-house shredding reduces reliance on outside vendors and lowers long-term disposal costs. With fewer manual steps, agencies save on labor and minimize risk.

Blog post image — The Olnova Model 5 E provides a safe and efficient way to destroy firearms

Sustainability: Firearm shredding supports public safety while contributing to responsible waste management. The shredded metal can be recycled through approved channels, turning confiscated weapons into reusable materials. This adds a sustainability component to an already secure disposal process.

Scalability: Departments of all sizes can benefit from dual-shaft shredders like the Model 5 E. Whether used for annual evidence destruction, routine buyback programs, or large-scale decommissioning efforts, these machines provide unmatched throughput and long-term reliability.

For municipalities and law enforcement agencies that frequently handle large volumes of firearms, implementing a dedicated shredding workflow improves safety, reduces risk, and ensures consistent ATF-compliant documentation.

Real-World Applications of Gun Shredders

The Olnova Model 5 E Gun Destruction Shredder fits into several critical workflows:

Evidence Rooms: Dispose of confiscated or court-ordered firearms safely and in compliance with internal policies.
Gun Buyback Programs: Handle high volumes of surrendered weapons quickly and securely.
Routine Destruction: Provide an ongoing solution for departments needing to destroy outdated or surplus weapons.

Olnova 5 model 5 e gun destruction shredder — The Model 5 E can even be operated indoors to provide an extra layer of security to the decommissioning process

In practice, firearm shredders like the Olnova Model 5 E are reshaping how agencies manage their disposal workflows. By integrating a slow-speed, high-torque dual shaft shredder into evidence operations, departments can transition from manual destruction to a repeatable, audit-ready system. This shift eliminates bottlenecks, reduces safety risks, and ensures full traceability for each destroyed weapon.

Modern shredding solutions also support ATF documentation through built-in camera systems and automated batch logs, creating a permanent record for compliance and accountability. These capabilities make firearm shredders a cornerstone of secure disposal strategies for law enforcement agencies across the country.

One standout example is the Wisconsin State Crime Lab. Partnering with Machinery Partner, they implemented a custom Olnova high-torque gun shredder to process thousands of decommissioned and confiscated weapons from multiple jurisdictions. The lab achieved complete destruction of firearms in seconds, improved operational efficiency, and eliminated the need to outsource disposal to third-party vendors.

By conducting firearm shredding on-site, the lab enhanced its chain-of-custody control and reduced turnaround time for evidence clearance. This real-world success story illustrates how a purpose-built firearm shredder can directly improve public safety, cost savings, and sustainability outcomes for government agencies.

Why Choose the Olnova Model 5 E from Machinery Partner?

Machinery Partner delivers reliable, US-based service and support, making procurement simple for government buyers. The Olnova Model 5 E is sourced from a trusted manufacturer Olnova in Europe with a track record for durability and results. Agencies can count on easy integration, clear training, and ongoing parts and support.

Unlike generic industrial shredders, the Olnova Model 5 E was engineered specifically for firearm destruction. It features hardened steel cutters for high performance, precision control systems for throughput consistency, and a fully enclosed shredding chamber that prevents material escape during operation. This makes it ideal for secure firearm destruction within law enforcement and defense applications.

Machinery Partner’s government procurement specialists assist departments with every step of implementation—from evaluating the right shredder size and torque rating to ensuring site readiness and staff training. The company also coordinates logistics, installation, and long-term maintenance, offering a complete, turnkey solution for firearm disposal.

Each Model 5 E can also be configured with optional dust control, remote monitoring, and variable speed drives for advanced performance tuning. These features allow agencies to adapt their shredding process for specific materials—whether destroying firearms, metal casings, or related equipment—while maintaining maximum safety and compliance.

Guns that have been passed through the olnova model 5 e shredder for guns — Start the safe destruction of guns with Machinery Partner

Next Steps: Request a Quote

Ready to secure your firearm disposal process? Request a quote or call Machinery Partner today on 888-297-0623. Our team is ready to answer your questions and help you find the best solution for your department’s needs.

For departments running gun buy-back programs, or agencies tasked with routine firearm decommissioning, Machinery Partner provides tailored shredding solutions that scale to your volume and security requirements. Whether you need a compact on-site unit or a high-volume stationary system, our team can help design a workflow that maximizes efficiency while upholding ATF compliance.

To see how other organizations have implemented firearm shredders successfully, check out the Wisconsin Crime Lab project, which set the benchmark for secure, sustainable firearm disposal in a government facility.