A bulletin from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Antonio, Texas, might serve as a reminder—or even a warning—to gun owners not to leave their defensive sidearm in the car, truck or SUV, whether it’s at home, at a shopping mall or even supermarket; anywhere thieves might break in.
Unintentionally, it’s a condemnation of so-called “gun-free zones” which literally force legally-armed citizens to leave their hardware in their parked vehicle rather than carry it securely whether they are shopping, going to a movie, attending a sports event, going to church or even doing business at a government office.
By no small coincidence, the city council in Newport News, VA voted this week to ban guns in city-owned buildings and in portions of buildings not owned, but used by, city employees, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Only Councilman John Eley cast a “No” vote. He explained, “I want to be able to defend myself.”
WVEC News is reporting that at least a dozen citizens spoke in opposition to the measure, but the council adopted the ban anyway.
Here are some cold, hard facts posted in an August 19 report in the Legal Reader:
- 1,074,022 firearms were reported stolen in the U.S. between 2017 and 2021, which equates to an average of 200,000 per year.
- There were more guns stolen in 2017 than in 2021, despite an increase in gun sales nationwide in 2021.
- Only 10% of stolen guns are used in crimes annually, but 43.2% of criminals who used a firearm in the commission of a crime purchased it from an “underground dealer.”
But here’s some information one doesn’t usually get from the gun prohibition crowd since it doesn’t fit their narrative:
- Despite rhetoric about gun shows, firearms purchased from gun shows are the least likely to be used in crimes (0.8%), and those purchased from an FFL dealer by the offender are used in only 1.3% of crimes.
- The overwhelming majority (85.9%) of criminals possessing a firearm when they committed their crimes, purchased or obtained the firearm from somewhere other than a licensed dealer.
- Contrary to some assumptions, the rate of legal firearm owners, state and federal legislation, and the number of legal guns do not increase homicide rates. However, there is a clear correlation between the prevalence of stolen guns and increased homicide rates.
Alarmingly, according to the USA in San Antonio, “Nearly 2,300 firearms have been stolen from vehicles in San Antonio this year.” That’s just in one Texas city. It translates to tens of thousands of guns nationwide, and that’s a lot of contraband hardware which can wind up being used in crimes for which law-abiding gun owners are penalized by “gun safety legislation.”
Underscoring this situation is a report out of Seattle, Washington involving the arrest of a four-time felon from whom police took a stolen pistol linked to nine different shootings in the city since early October, according to a report at KOMO, the local ABC News affiliate. The 26-year-old suspect was not named because he has not yet been formally charged.
But here’s an interesting tidbit, thanks to an online KOMO reader/viewer survey. Washington voters just elected anti-gun Democrat Attorney General Bob Ferguson to be the state’s next governor. Democrats hold the majority in the state capital of Olympia. But they may have to shift priorities when dealing with crime in the upcoming session, starting in January.
According to the KOMO poll, respondents believe the most important issue facing the Legislature is dealing with repeat offenders (77%), the drug trade (12%), stolen cars used in crimes/auto theft (4%) and gun control (4%). Where Democrat lawmakers habitually push gun control to make it appear they’re doing something about crime, they’ve been weak on addressing crime and punishment. January could provide some surprises in the Evergreen State.
Where are the gun theft hotspots? According to the San Antonio bulletin, “Retail parking lots frequently serve as hot spots for burglaries, and thieves are capable of breaking into a vehicle, stealing a gun, and fleeing, all within 15 seconds or less. Furthermore, statistics show that car burglars target trucks and vehicles that display stickers, insignia, and license plates indicating military or law enforcement affiliation, as well as firearm ownership.”
Who’s got a bumper sticker declaring “Insured by Smith & Wesson?” Who’s got an NRA decal in their truck/SUV window?
Twenty-nine states now allow “constitutional” carry without a permit or license. The remaining states, all run by Democrats, still require licenses, and some do not recognize out-of-state licenses.
Savvy gun owners have concluded they will not patronize businesses which post their premises off-limits to firearms. Criminals don’t obey such prohibitions, so why should honest citizens? These “good guys with guns” have concluded the most effective form of gun control is to keep it with you.
About Dave Workman
