A new report reveals that firearms thefts from parked cars have surged, becoming a significant source of illegally circulating guns, especially in urban areas. The analysis by the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice found a 31% increase in gun thefts from vehicles between 2018 and 2022, while overall gun thefts remained steady. In major cities, the report notes, vehicle-related gun thefts nearly doubled, raising concerns about firearm security and policies regarding storage in vehicles.
Memphis leads the nation with a staggering 546 reported gun thefts per 100,000 residents, nearly double that of Detroit, which ranks second. The study emphasizes the shifting landscape of gun storage, revealing that by 2022, 40% of all reported gun thefts involved vehicles, a stark rise from 31% in 2018. These findings call for more stringent policies and public education on firearm storage, as experts warn that a lack of data complicates efforts to tackle the growing issue of gun violence fueled by stolen firearms.
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