TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Anyone with a criminal record is not supposed to be able to buy a gun legally but there’s a market of illegal weapons in the Tampa area that were stolen and could be available without question.
The Ybor City mass shooting last October is an example of the damage and tragedy that can be caused when a stolen firearm gets into the grip of the wrong person.
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Brucie Boonstoppel lost her son Harrison, 20, in the shooting. He was one of the victims caught in the Ybor City crossfire that involved at least one stolen gun.
She recalled an incident she heard from a friend about theft involving a weapon left in a car.
“They weren’t breaking in the car. They left it unlocked,” Boonstoppel said. “And they know exactly where to look for the guns. This is a big problem and people need to step it up. It’s too easy.”
Police told 8 On Your Side many firearms are taken during what is known as “car hopping.”