How Many Guns are Stolen Each Year?
Gun theft is a significant problem in the United States, with thousands of firearms being stolen annually. The exact number of stolen guns is difficult to determine, as many incidents go unreported. However, we can look at the available data and statistics to get an idea of the scope of the issue.
Direct Answer:
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, in 2020, there were 430,800 reported gun thefts in the United States. This represents a 12% increase from 2019, when there were 384,100 reported gun thefts.
Breakdown by State:
Here is a breakdown of the number of reported gun thefts by state in 2020:
| State | Number of Gun Theft Reports |
|---|---|
| California | 13,444 |
| Texas | 10,314 |
| Florida | 8,334 |
| New York | 5,444 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,944 |
| Ohio | 4,654 |
| Georgia | 4,444 |
| North Carolina | 4,264 |
| Illinois | 3,964 |
| Michigan | 3,844 |
Most Common Types of Stolen Guns:
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the most common types of stolen guns are:
• Handguns: 55% of all stolen guns
• Rifles: 24% of all stolen guns
• Shotguns: 14% of all stolen guns
• Other firearms: 7% of all stolen guns
How Guns are Typically Stolen:
Guns are typically stolen through burglaries (44%), thefts from vehicles (25%), and robberies (14%). Other methods of gun theft include fencing, online sales, and straw purchases.
Consequences of Gun Theft:
Gun theft can have serious consequences, including:
• Increased risk of gun violence: Stolen guns can fall into the wrong hands, leading to increased risk of gun violence and criminal activity.
• Gun trafficking: Stolen guns can be trafficked to other states or countries, contributing to illegal gun sales and criminal activity.
• Financial losses: Gun owners may suffer financial losses due to the theft of their firearms, as well as the potential cost of replacing stolen guns.
Prevention Strategies:
To prevent gun theft, it’s essential to take steps to secure your firearms and prevent unauthorized access. Here are some strategies you can use:
• Store guns securely: Store guns in a secure location, such as a gun safe or locked cabinet.
• Use trigger locks: Use trigger locks to prevent guns from being fired accidentally or by unauthorized individuals.
• Mark guns: Mark your guns with a unique identifier, such as a serial number or engraving, to help law enforcement recover stolen guns.
• Report thefts: Report gun thefts to the police and your insurance company as soon as possible.
• Support gun safety laws: Support laws that require universal background checks, waiting periods, and red flag laws to help prevent gun theft and reduce gun violence.
Conclusion:
Gun theft is a significant problem in the United States, with thousands of firearms being stolen annually. It’s essential to take steps to prevent gun theft and to support laws that help prevent gun violence. By storing guns securely, using trigger locks, marking guns, reporting thefts, and supporting gun safety laws, we can work to reduce the number of stolen guns and keep our communities safer.
