Gun theft in San Antonio has become more common and the city has the fifth highest rate in the country for guns stolen out of cars.
According to data from Everytown Research & Policy, in 2022, more than 200 guns were stolen from cars in San Antonio for every 100,000 people, making it the fifth highest rate in the country of gun theft from cars.
“Hotspots or clusters where firearms are most likely to be stolen in the city. A lot of times these are large shopping centers, so malls, North Star Mall, La Cantera type areas,” said Alex Testa, Assistant Professor with UTHealth Houston.
Testa has spent the last year doing research trying to find data and trends on guns stolen from cars in San Antonio.
Often burglars breaking into cars just happen to find guns among the other things they are stealing, but Testa says more often now, criminals are starting to break into cars, specifically looking for guns.
“People who are explicitly targeting vehicles for firearms and using those in illegal underground markets and illicit firearms trafficking and there’s definitely an organized groups that are targeting vehicles for this purpose,” said Testa.
So how can the problem be solved?
“No city that I’m aware of, has effectively put into place a program that has combatted this,” said Testa.
San Antonio District 9 Councilman John Courage just organized the second weapons exchange event in San Antonio and said more than 600 guns were taken off the streets in exchange for HEB gift cards.
“I think it’s successful enough that, I would hope that the City of San Antonio will continue to doing this in years forward. Any opportunity we can do to make someone feel safer in their home,” said Councilman Courage.
According to Courage, weapon exchange events won’t entirely solve the problem.
“That’s the biggest role city government may have in between these weapon exchange programs, is continue to educate the population about being safe with their weapons,” said Councilman Courage.
As people start Christmas shopping, law enforcement suggests leaving your gun at home instead of bringing it to the mall and leaving it in your glove compartment.
If you do carry, they both suggest buying a safe specifically made for vehicles.
