KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department is warning firearm owners to take proper precautions after there have been at least three reports of car burglaries where firearms were stolen since Friday.
Knoxville Police shared about the firearm thefts on Tuesday, adding a reminder that “stolen guns make the community less safe.”
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“Please remember to practice responsible gun ownership and always safely secure or remove any firearms from your vehicle every time you leave it unoccupied,” KPD wrote.
KPD also shared some tips to help prevent firearm thefts, including:
- Lock your vehicle and take your keys every time it is left unoccupied
- Completely secure the vehicle
- Secure or remove any firearms from the vehcile
- Park in well-lit areas
- Know the serial number and other identifying information for all firearms
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Earlier this year, the Associated Press reported that an analysis of FBI data found that the rate of guns stolen from vehicles in the United States tripled between 2013 and 2023. Knoxville Police also previously shared that there were 76 guns stolen from vehicles in Knoxville in 2022 , and that same year a study ranked Tennessee as the number 1 state for vehicle gun thefts nationwide.