WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Three rifles are in the wrong hands after a home burglary in Wilson County last month, but this is part of a larger problem.

The Wilson County Sheriff's Office said the rifles were stolen, along with power tools and lawn equipment, from a house along Simmons Bluff Road on Aug. 22.

"The thing that's concerning in a burglary case is when weapons have been taken, so you have three rifles that are out there on the street," said Capt. Scott Moore with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office. 

Meanwhile, the Metro Nashville Police Department is also seeing an increase in gun thefts, mostly from vehicles. So far this year, 646 guns have been reported stolen from vehicles, compared to 604 at the same time last year.

According to Moore, some of those guns end up in Wilson County.  

"The majority of those offenses are usually people coming out of Nashville, coming into our county with those stolen weapons, and using them in other crimes," Moore said. 

Last week, several Middle Tennessee mayors, including the mayor of Wilson County, signed proclamations to raise awareness about properly securing firearms to help protect children. Moore said keeping guns in safes would also be more challenging for thieves.

"There are so many guns out there that are on the streets because they're not locked up," the captain said.

Moore told News 2 that law enforcement would like to get the three rifles and other stolen items back to their rightful owner.

"I know there were a lot of power tools, and just that in itself with the three rifles, you're talking about a pretty good amount of money," Moore said.  

The sheriff's office said there was no footage from the Simmons Bluff Road home that was burglarized or the neighbors' houses. If you have any information, photos, or videos that will help law enforcement investigate the Aug. 22 incident, you're asked to contact Detective Warren by calling 615-444-1412, ext. 254, or emailing [email protected]. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/3-rifles-stolen-during-home-burglary-in-wilson-county/