Guns are being stolen, due to firearm owners leaving their weapons unsecured in their vehicle. Murfreesboro Police Lt. Clayton Williams told WGNS NEWS…

Williams said it is usually a crime of opportunity and criminals are not necessarily looking for a handgun, but when they find one they take it.

Thankfully, the problem in Murfreesboro is not as large of an issue as nearby Nashville faces. 

A review of stolen gun reports in Nashville from Sunday, May 9th, through Saturday, May 15th, shows that 20 guns were stolen from cars and trucks, four from unlocked vehicles.

These guns are routinely taken from autos in parking garages and those parked outside night clubs, private residences, hotels, and short term rental properties. Those involved in these thefts are often young people who later use these weapons in violent criminal acts, including homicide.

So far this year, 313 guns have been stolen from vehicles in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Going hand in hand with vehicle burglaries is vehicle theft. A review of stolen vehicle reports in Nashville during this same reporting period shows that 79% of the automobiles taken (45 of 57) were easy targets because the keys were left inside or made available to thieves. Four of the 57 vehicles stolen were left running without the driver present. Just like guns taken from vehicles, these stolen autos are also routinely involved in additional criminal activities, including carjackings and robberies.