JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is urging gun owners to take extra precautions after seeing an increase in firearms stolen from vehicles across the city.
According to JSO, 388 firearms have been reported stolen from vehicles so far this year. That’s 58 more guns reported stolen during the same period last year.
Police say the problem has become especially concerning in recent weeks. Within the past 21 days alone, 38 firearms were reported stolen from vehicles in Jacksonville.
“A lot of these vehicles unfortunately have the tendency to be unlocked, and ... a lot of owners are leaving those guns in those vehicles,” said JSO Public Information Officer Max Morel.
Morel said firearms left inside vehicles can quickly become targets for thieves.
“Don’t leave that firearm out there so somebody else can obtain that gun,” Morel said.
JSO warns that once a firearm is stolen, it often ends up being used in other crimes.
Investigators say recovering stolen guns can be difficult. In some cases, gun owners do not have access to the firearm’s serial number, making it harder to track. Police also say thieves sometimes attempt to remove or tamper with serial numbers after stealing a gun.
To help in the event a firearm is stolen, JSO recommends owners keep records of their firearm information, including the serial number and purchase documents.
“What we want people to do is take down that serial number, if you have the ability to do so, or keep those documents that, once you make that initial purchase of that firearm, so you have that information readily available,” Morel said.
While a locked gun safe inside a vehicle can provide additional security, JSO notes that vehicles themselves can be stolen. Officers recommend gun owners develop a routine of locking their vehicles and taking firearms with them whenever possible.
“Our biggest advice that we would give to anybody is if you’re going to leave that vehicle, take that firearm with you - if you have the ability to do so - and secure it inside,” Morel said.
The sheriff’s office says responsible firearm storage remains one of the best ways to prevent guns from falling into the wrong hands and being used in crimes.
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