Triple Threat: Gun Thefts from Cars on the Rise, Highlighting Need for Responsible Storage Practices

A recent analysis by the gun safety group Everytown reveals that the number of guns stolen from cars in the US has tripled over the past decade, making them the primary source of stolen guns in the country. According to the report, which analyzed FBI data from 337 cities in 44 states and was provided to The Associated Press, the rate of stolen guns from cars increased nearly every year, with a significant spike during the COVID-19 pandemic alongside a surge in weapon purchases in the US. This trend highlights the importance of responsible firearm storage practices to prevent these weapons from falling into the wrong hands. The report found that in 2022 alone, approximately 122,000 guns were reported stolen, with half of these incidents occurring outside people’s homes or parked in driveways. Unfortunately, this trend is not merely limited to criminal activity; stolen guns have also contributed to tragic accidents, including the death of a 14-year-old boy in Florida who fatally shot his 11-year-old brother following the discovery of a gun that had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle. While there is no federal requirement to report stolen guns, the report suggests that roughly one-third of states mandate reporting such incidents. The ATF has previously noted that theft is a significant source of guns utilized by criminals, with over one million guns being reported stolen between 2017 and 2021. The vast majority of these thefts occurred from individuals rather than commercial entities. Although the underlying cause of this trend remains uncertain, the report indicates that states with weaker gun laws tend to have higher theft rates and greater gun ownership levels. In response to this issue, authorities in Savannah, Georgia, recently enacted an ordinance requiring individuals to secure firearms within their vehicles following the discovery of over 200 guns stolen from unlocked vehicles throughout the previous year. However, this measure has received opposition from the state’s attorney general. The ATF is legally precluded from disclosing specific data regarding the ultimate destination of stolen guns. Nevertheless, such information may be shared with law enforcement officials engaged in criminal investigations.