Understanding Gun Theft Statistics: Trends and Insights
When it comes to carrying a firearm in your vehicle, ensuring that it is effectively concealed and secured is essential. This is especially true considering that vehicle firearm theft nationwide is continuously on the rise, and the laws in certain states may not currently align with the safety and security of residents. With that in mind, read on to check out the specific car gun safety trends and statistics we’ve compiled, the ways to decrease vehicle firearm theft, and more.
About Gun Thefts from Cars in the Past Decade
In cities that report their crime data to the FBI, it’s been shown that gun thefts from cars have tripled since a decade ago. Additionally, in the United States, at least one gun is stolen from a vehicle every nine minutes. Considering these alarming facts, it’s important to stay informed so you can make choices to protect yourself.
Gun Theft Statistics State-by-State
Out of the 16 cities that participated in the Council on Criminal Justice’s 2022 study covering gun theft by state, Memphis, Tennessee had the highest rate of stolen firearms at 546 reported incidents per 100,000 residents and over 3,000 gun thefts from vehicles in 2022. Detroit, Michigan ranked second at 297 cases per 100,000 reported incidents.
On the other hand, Seattle, Washington had the lowest rate of gun thefts among the 16 cities, with 44 reported incidents per 100,000 residents. This number is less than 1/10th of the reported incidents in Memphis, highlighting the disparity between some regions of the country.
Car Gun Safety Trends: A Change in Theft Location
As of 2022, 65 out of 100,000 people reported having a gun stolen from their vehicle, which is almost double the amount that was reported in 2018 according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle. We have also noticed that parked vehicles are one of the most common targets when it comes to vehicle firearm theft, though the target location of theft has since shifted.
Back in 2018, it was also reported that approximately half of all gun thefts happened when a vehicle was parked at home. This share had dropped nearly 40% by 2022, and, contrastingly, thefts from vehicles in parking lots and garages rose 76% during this timeframe. Also, over the same five-year period, there was a 59% increase in gun thefts from cars on roads, in alleys, and on highways.
Examining State Gun Laws and Theft Rates from Vehicles
According to Everytown Research & Policy, states with the weakest gun safety laws see 18 times the rate of gun thefts from vehicles than those with more stringent legislation. States with weaker requirements also tend to have higher rates of gun ownership, and if laws do not mandate secure storage practices for firearms, this can lead to theft and even injury or death.
Along with more lenient storage requirements, states with weaker gun laws also lack the requirements for reporting firearms that have been stolen. This can make it more difficult to recover, track, and retrieve stolen guns if a theft were to take place.
How Secure Gun Storage Can Help Theft Prevention
To decrease the amount of vehicle firearm thefts in the United States, preventative actions should be taken to securely conceal guns and other valuables in your car. This can include investing in an in-vehicle safe equipped with a secure locking mechanism to deter potential unwanted individuals from obtaining access.
Along with decreasing the amount of vehicle break-ins and stolen firearms, just some of the benefits of installing a gun safe in your car include ensuring legal compliance for firearm transportation and limiting access to children, among other things.
Why We’re Your Destination for In-Vehicle Gun Safes
At Console Vault ®, we’re dedicated to providing individuals with high-quality gun safes designed to safely store firearms and other valuables, such as wallets, phones, and more. There are numerous advantages to purchasing your car safe from us, with some of the main benefits including:
- Easy and quick installation
- Reliable and durable safe construction, using 12-gauge steel
- Installation requiring no modifications to the vehicle's factory console
- Units available with a choice of locking mechanism
- Free shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states of the U.S.
- Drill-resistant locks
- Units discreetly hidden from view
- Triple Guard Lock System™ to deter entry
- Superior customer service
- Multiple safe locations available for certain makes and models
- Products backed by Lifetime Warranty
- 10% off military discount
Contact Console Vault ® Today
If you’re interested in a durable firearm safe for your vehicle, please reach out to our team to learn more about our offerings. We look forward to hearing from you!