Theft of firearms out of vehicles is on the rise, study shows
May 11, 2022, 7:25 PM | Updated: Dec 29, 2022, 11:34 am
FILE - A nonprofit organization called Everytown for Gun Safety has released a study that says firearms being stolen from vehicles is on the rise around the country. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — A new study shows the theft of firearms from vehicles is on the rise.
The study comes from a non-profit organization called Everytown for Gun Safety. The organization says the number of reported cases is up from a few years ago. From 2019 to 2020, the study found that 180 cities around the country saw an increase in gun thefts from vehicles. That now makes up for the largest source of stolen firearms, according to the study.
And this is of great concern to Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill.
“We saw that uptick in violent crimes going up with the use of guns because there was a greater proliferation of them being stolen,” he said to KSL NewsRadio. “And more directly, the use of those guns against police officers.”
Gill says the theft of firearms is a problem he saw coming months ago. However, he stresses this isn’t a second amendment issue.
“That is irresponsible gun ownership that you have,” he said. “And we want people to be lawful gun owners and help us keep the community safe.”
Read more:
- Salt Lake City police say gun thefts up 24%
- No more plea bargains for gun crimes announces Salt Lake County DA
