An analysis of FBI data by the gun safety group Everytown has revealed a concerning trend in the United States - the rate of guns stolen from cars has tripled over the past decade, making them the primary source of stolen firearms in the country. The report, based on FBI data from 337 cities in 44 states, highlights a significant increase in stolen guns from vehicles, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The surge in stolen weapons from cars has been linked to a rise in violent crimes, with stolen firearms turning up at crime scenes across the nation. Incidents like the tragic killing of a Coast Guard member in Florida using a gun stolen from an unlocked car underscore the urgent need for Americans to securely store their firearms to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
In 2022, nearly 122,000 guns were reported stolen, with over half of these thefts occurring from cars parked in driveways or outside homes. This marks a substantial increase from previous years, where homes were the primary location for firearm thefts. The report also highlights the connection between stolen guns and accidents, such as the case of a 14-year-old boy in Florida who fatally shot his 11-year-old brother with a stolen gun.
The data reveals that on average, at least one firearm is stolen from a car every nine minutes in the U.S. However, this figure is likely an underestimate due to the lack of federal reporting requirements for stolen guns. The report suggests that states with looser gun laws and higher rates of gun ownership experience higher theft rates.
Efforts to address the issue have been seen in cities like Savannah, Georgia, where local leaders passed an ordinance mandating the secure storage of firearms in parked cars following a significant number of gun thefts. The ATF has emphasized that theft remains a major source of guns used in criminal activities, with over 1 million guns reported stolen between 2017 and 2021.
The report underscores the critical need for enhanced gun safety measures and responsible firearm storage practices to curb the alarming trend of stolen guns from cars, ultimately aiming to reduce gun-related violence and tragedies in communities nationwide.
