Stolen gun rates are going up: Why you should secure your firearm
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Dayton police are putting out a reminder to gun owners to make sure you secure your firearms — as many guns that have been reported stolen are finding their way into crime scenes.
Data on stolen guns in the City of Dayton paint a concerning picture, as each year, it seems that the rate of stolen guns is either increasing or staying consistent.
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2 NEWS talked to Dayton police, who say they are fully committed to making sure guns stay off the streets and away from crime scenes.
“That is a lot of firearms that are being stolen and out on the street,” said Major Brian Johns, Dayton Police Department. “So that is something that we take seriously and try to avoid.”
Dayton police say a total of 1,898 guns have been reported stolen from Jan. 1, 2018 to July 25 of this year.
In 2022 and 2023, a total of 306 stolen guns were reported. In just 2024 up until July 25, 179 guns were reported stolen. That’s already halfway to the total numbers in the previous two years.
DPD says these numbers are concerning to the department.
“Three hundred is quite a few guns per year, so we do caution people to secure their firearms,” said Johns.
And a large amount of these firearms are ending up in crime scenes across the city.
“We do see these guns stolen and used in crimes later, like a shooting or a murder or a robbery,” said Johns. “So this can be prevented with that firearm that is kept safe.”
Dayton PD is stressing the importance of keeping your gun secured and away from thieves — but the problem delves a little deeper.
“There is no doubt that people are carrying their guns concealed more often, but the problem that we are seeing is that people like leaving them in a car,” said Johns. “Leaving them in a home, they are on a mantle, and the house is not the most secure.”
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Dayton police are advising owners to be more aware of where their gun is at all times — and to not forget that even the act of forgetting to secure your firearm could have a butterfly effect in your community.
“It takes seconds for that to happen. And that gun can have lasting impacts in the community. It can be used to hurt somebody, kill somebody, commit a robbery,” said Johns.
The Department also says to report a missing firearm as soon as you can. Some owners do not report their gun stolen, leading to consequences in the community and meaning these numbers could be even higher.
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