The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said in a press release this week nearly 8,000 firearms have been stolen from vehicles in the city this year, a crime that has plagued Nashville for years.
“So far this year, 777 guns have been stolen from vehicles in Nashville, 24 were taken from autos just last week,” the release says. “The total number of guns stolen this year in Davidson County is 978, which means that nearly 80% of guns stolen so far in 2023 have been taken from automobiles.”
MNPD implored Nashvillians to take precautions that will help them avoid break-ins.
“The Nashville Police Department strongly encourages Nashvillians to lock their automobile doors, secure any valuables—especially guns, and remove the keys,” MNPD said.
The police department said that automobiles are also being stolen due to the same issue – residents leaving their keys inside their cars.
Gun theft from unlocked vehicles has been a problem in Nashville for years.
In 2022 alone, 1,952 guns were stolen in Davidson County.
“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 it 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,” Chief of Police John Drake said in a video posted by MNPD last year.
The Tennessee Star asked MNPD about the issue Thursday.
Spokeswoman Kristin Mumford noted that in March, an MNPD officer named Donavan Coble was shot and critically injured by a gunman who had taken a weapon from a vehicle and that MNPD has asked the General Assembly to help address the issue.
Mumford referred The Star to a letter written by Drake, addressed to State Representative Lloyd Doggett (R-District 70), who last year introduced HB 1233, which would have made it a crime to leave ammunition and firearms in unattended vehicles.
The letter said in part:
With gun ownership comes serious responsibility on several fronts, including securing guns, particularly in motor vehicles, so that they do not come into the hands of thieves/violent criminals. We in law enforcement have a problem in this regard. Despite our continuous efforts over the past few years to persuade gun owners to secure their weapons in parked vehicles, including in the driveways of their homes, a record number of guns were stolen from vehicles in Nashville in 2022 (1 ,378).
Memphis also set a record in guns stolen from vehicles (2,740). Year to date, more than 240 guns have been stolen from vehicles in Nashville; more than 605 in Memphis. We have been working to find a solution to the escalating problem of guns being stolen from vehicles. A few years ago, our department’s public affairs team began a continuing WEEKLY media release/social media campaign pointing to the number of guns stolen from vehicles each
week and the running tally year to date. Nashville media outlets regularly assist us by reporting the weekly numbers and encouraging persons to secure their firearms and valuables. We have even posted signage in various locations across the city urging motorists to park smart and secure guns and personal belongings.
“We are working very hard to identify and arrest the persons responsible for gun crimes in Nashville. Our precision policing efforts are meeting with success, and, with the assistance of
our federal partners, we are holding gun criminals accountable,” the letter said. “Today, I am asking for your help on the front end. I am asking for the assistance of our legislature to, in its wisdom, help us convince/deter lawful gun owners from leaving firearms unsecured in unattended vehicles.”
Lawmakers eventually withdrew support for the bill.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Obviously some gun owners are reckless and careless .But the best way to prevent this is to carry your gun with you. Oh but there are many “no guns” signs around Nashville because of prejudice and bigotry against lawful gun owners exercising their State (Article I, Section 26 and U.S. 2nd Amendment rights. Unfortunately, there is discrimination on which rights can be “legally” violated.
people need to be carrying their weapons not leaving them in the car. best way to keep safe is go armed.
Shame on victims for letting thieves to break into their cars.