Lock Your Doors: Michigan Gun Thefts On The Rise

No one wants to be the victim of theft. Not only is it terrible to lose something you paid for with your hard-earned cash, but sometimes it can leave you feeling violated knowing someone was digging through your stuff.

And while no theft is good, an alarming report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) shows an alarming number of guns have gone missing from Michigan residents.

In fact, their report is showing that 6,000 guns were reported missing between 2017 to 2021 in the state of Michigan.

But, where are all of these guns being stolen from? Was there a major store robbed? No- while it's more likely to show up on the local news if a gun store is robbed, it turns out most of the thieves are working much smaller scale.

In fact, according to the ATF's data, over 95% of all firearms are taken from private homes or vehicles. Sometimes it's just as simple as someone forgetting to lock their doors, and their weapon ends up in the wrong hands.

What can I do to make sure my firearm is safe from thieves?

Most experts say the difference in keeping your weapon safe is just as simple as locking them up.

Experts say that many people leave weapons unsecured in their car, thinking it's a safe place with easy access in case of an emergency. But, car break-ins are on the rise by default, and some people leaving their cars unlocked in their "safer" neighborhoods, have had their guns stolen without warning.

Inside your home, they recommend getting some sort of locked case or safe to hold your gun. Not only will it keep you safe from would-be thieves (even your own friends and loved ones), but it also keeps you safe from accidents.

Be safe, Michigan. Let's try to prevent as many firearms from getting into the wrong hands as possible.