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5 things we learned about rising gun thefts in the Triangle and NC

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As gun ownership rises, thieves take advantage

A growing trend across North Carolina and much of the United States: More people own guns, and experts say the loosening of laws limiting where people can take them is leading to more gun thefts. Police report that higher numbers of guns are getting stolen as more owners leave them in vehicles, sometimes unlocked. So why did lawmakers eliminate NC’s only tool to track down stolen guns?


The News & Observer recently published an extensive report on an increase in gun thefts, especially from vehicles parked outside homes.

It’s a concern for police, who are urging gun owners to help reduce thefts that put more weapons and cash in the hands of the criminals.

Here are five takeaways from our report, including what gun owners can do to help protect their weapons from thieves.

Gun thefts increasing in the Triangle

Gun thefts jumped in Raleigh last year by 45% over 2020 while thefts in Durham have climbed 20% in the past four years. In both places, guns taken from vehicles, many of them unlocked, drove the increases, police say.

Durham police reports show many of the cars, trucks and the rest were are parked in front of residences.

3 reasons why gun thefts are on the rise

Experts say three things explain the increase: growth in the number of guns owned, carelessness by some owners and a loosening of restrictions on where people can carry firearms.

North Carolina’s legislature in recent years has made it easier for people to get guns and carry them to more public places, including bars, restaurants and playgrounds.

Role in violent crime?

Some research concludes that moves to increase gun access in mostly Southern states are contributing to the recent rise in violent crime.

A recent report by several researchers, including Duke University’s Philip Cook, found violent crime rising in large cities in states with fewer gun restrictions.

At deputy holds a pistol turned in at a buy-back event held by the Durham Sheriff’s Dept., Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022.
At deputy holds a pistol turned in at a buy-back event held by the Durham Sheriff’s Dept., Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com

Missing serial numbers

Many gun owners aren’t recording their firearms’ serial numbers. That makes it difficult for police to return recovered stolen weapons to their owners if they later turn up, or charge those found with the weapons. It is illegal to knowingly possess a stolen firearm.

Durham County required residents to register handguns and their serial numbers for decades but state legislators eliminated that registry in 2014.

How you can help

Police are urging gun owners to check their cars and remove their firearms from vehicles before turning in for the night. If that’s not possible, police say gun owners should place firearms in a gun safe or locked box in the trunk or a locked compartment.

This story was originally published October 26, 2022 at 12:32 PM with the headline "5 things we learned about rising gun thefts in the Triangle and NC."

Dan Kane
The News & Observer
Dan Kane began working for The News & Observer in 1997. He covered local government, higher education and the state legislature before joining the investigative team in 2009.
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As gun ownership rises, thieves take advantage

A growing trend across North Carolina and much of the United States: More people own guns, and experts say the loosening of laws limiting where people can take them is leading to more gun thefts. Police report that higher numbers of guns are getting stolen as more owners leave them in vehicles, sometimes unlocked. So why did lawmakers eliminate NC’s only tool to track down stolen guns?