SAN ANTONIO — Amid the hustle of holiday shopping, officials are urging residents to secure their firearms after nearly 2,300 guns were stolen from vehicles in San Antonio this year.
Authorities warn that retail parking lots are prime targets for thieves, who can break into vehicles and steal a gun in less than 15 seconds. Thieves often target trucks and vehicles with military or law enforcement decals, increasing the risk for firearm owners who fail to properly secure their weapons.
“As you fill your shopping cart with gifts for your loved ones, know that it takes a thief just moments to take an unlocked firearm from your car,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza. “Your lawfully owned firearm will then likely fuel the underground black market or worse, it may even bring down a law enforcement officer or an innocent bystander.”
The problem is especially severe in San Antonio, ranked fifth in the nation for firearm thefts from vehicles, according to Dr. Alex Testa of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. “Numerous gun owners remain oblivious to the dangers of leaving firearms in vehicles,” Testa said, emphasizing the vulnerabilities of locked compartments and the importance of securing firearms properly.
The Department of Justice, through its Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, is investing in public safety research to address this issue. Local officials, including Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales, are calling for gun owners to take immediate precautions. “Smart gun ownership starts with robust security,” Gonzales said.
“Every firearm stolen becomes a weapon for violent crime,” warned San Antonio Police Chief William McManus, underscoring the importance of precautionary gun ownership.