The theft of a firearm is a serious situation that directly affects both the gun owner and public safety. According to experts, the steps responsible gun owners should take when faced with such an event must be clear.
The fact that the firearm has been stolen by a malicious person or persons is a significant factor that increases the risk of the weapon being used for criminal purposes. Regardless of the thief’s intent (such as selling the gun, giving it to a pawnbroker, or using it for illegal purposes), the weapon is now in the hands of someone with criminal intent. Therefore, gun owners must act with a sense of responsibility both before and after the incident.
Experts emphasize that gun owners should have taken secure storage measures in advance of a potential theft. Using a gun safe, anchoring the safe, and keeping the firearm in a controlled-access manner at home, in the vehicle, or at the workplace is important from both legal and ethical perspectives. However, it is noted that theft cases can still occur despite all precautions.
Citing a theft incident at his office in Virginia Beach, one expert states, “Despite all security measures, thieves entered the office, pried loose the quick-access safe bolted to the desk, and took it. While this situation is embarrassing, I believe the security measures were at a reasonable level.”
According to experts, the first step to take in the event of a stolen firearm is to report the incident to the police immediately. Reporting it quickly facilitates tracing the firearm and increases the likelihood of it being recovered before it is used in any crime.
To facilitate the investigation, it is recommended that gun owners maintain an up-to-date record containing the serial number and model. Some gun owners record serial numbers by taking photos of all their firearms, while others store the list in a secure cloud account or a bank safety deposit box. This information both speeds up the police investigation and makes it possible to return the firearm to its owner if found.