Staff Reports
January 30, 2024
Guns, guns, guns! It seems like everyone is talking about them these days. And for good reason! We all know that guns don’t kill people — criminals do. But did you know that a whopping 1,074,022 firearms were reported stolen in the U.S. from 2017 to 2021? That’s a lot of missing firepower!
Now, before you start panicking and locking yourself in a bunker, let’s take a closer look at the numbers. According to a 2016 survey, only a measly 1.3% of criminals used a firearm purchased from a licensed dealer during the commission of a crime. That means the vast majority of criminals are getting their guns from other sources.
In fact, a whopping 89% of inmates reported that they possessed a firearm during the commission of a crime, but it wasn’t obtained from a retailer. Instead, a whopping 56% of these criminals admitted to stealing the gun they used! Talk about shameless!
AMERICA’S STOLEN GUNS: A SILENT CONTRIBUTOR TO GUN CRIMES IN THE U.S. (2024) https://t.co/hgWfKR4OVd pic.twitter.com/86XosPKQsG
— NoisyRoom (@terresamonroe) January 25, 2024
But wait, there’s more. Did you know that 11% of crime guns recovered in 2021 were purchased within 90 days? That means a whopping 46% of crime guns had been purchased more than 36 months prior to the crime. It’s clear that criminals aren’t exactly following the laws when it comes to obtaining their weapons.
Now, let’s talk about geography. It turns out those lawless southern states are reporting more stolen guns than any other region in the U.S. Maybe they’ve been too busy enjoying their sweet tea to keep an eye on their firearms? Who knows!
And what about stolen guns from cars? You won’t believe this, but firearm thefts from vehicles have risen more than 25% over the past decade. I guess criminals have discovered that breaking into cars is just as easy as stealing candy from a baby.
But don’t worry, folks. The ATF is on the case! They’re doing their best to track down these stolen firearms, but it’s no easy task. Recovering stolen guns is like finding a needle in a haystack. It seems like those guns just disappear into thin air, leaving law enforcement scratching their heads.
So, what can you do to protect yourself and your precious firearms? Well, the police recommend implementing a “9 pm Routine.” Yep, that’s right. Every evening at 9 pm, they want you to remind yourself to secure your valuables, including your guns. It’s like a bedtime routine for responsible gun owners!
But let’s be real here, folks. The problem isn’t law-abiding gun owners who lock up their weapons at night. The problem is the criminals who have no regard for the law. They’re the ones stealing our guns and using them to commit crimes.
It’s time we focus our efforts on punishing these criminals, not restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. After all, the Second Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms. And no stolen gun statistic is going to change that!
So, keep your guns safe, hold onto your Second Amendment rights, and remember, it’s not the guns that are the problem — it’s the criminals who wield them. Stay safe out there, America!
