Nashville about to exceed 1,000 guns stolen from vehicles this year
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, 998 weapons have been stolen from cars and trucks in Nashville this year to date. Of all guns reported stolen, 70 percent were taken from cars and trucks. Nashville is on track to have a record-breaking year for stolen guns.
A statement on Twitter said, “A startling but not surprising statistic: Nashville is about to exceed 1,000 guns stolen from cars and trucks in 2022. Please secure your valuables and firearms anywhere you park!”
In a video posted by the MNPD, Chief of Police John Drake said, “It’s become a disturbing trend, and it needs to stop; guns being stolen from vehicles. Criminals are continuously checking door handles, ready to steal, and if guns are left visible, they will do whatever it takes to break in. It takes just seconds for someone to grab your gun and go. Stats from this year shows a tremendous increase in guns being stolen from vehicles.”
Firearm robberies are an ongoing issue in Nashville. They have steadily risen over the past 10 years. In 2021 1,305 firearms were stolen from vehicles.
Chief Drake continued his statement, saying, “Please, secure your valuables, including weapons, in a safe place and in a safe way. We are counting on you. Don’t be a victim.”
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, firearm and vehicle theft go “hand in hand.” Last week’s stolen vehicle report shows that 75 percent of all stolen vehicles in Nashville were easy targets due to keys being left inside the vehicle or being made available to thieves. In 2021, of 2,630 stolen vehicles, 1,756 were stolen because the keys were made available to car thieves.
Stolen firearms and vehicles are routinely involved in criminal activities throughout Nashville, including carjacking and robberies. Chief Drake said, “These weapons are being used in more serious, violent crimes throughout this city. This is unacceptable, Nashville. We need to do better.”
A startling but not surprising statistic: Nashville is about to exceed 1,000 guns (we're now at 998) stolen from cars and trucks in 2022. Please secure your valuables and firearms anywhere you park! pic.twitter.com/S8YgsZa6Tg
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) September 20, 2022