NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Metro police have released a map after reporting an increase in firearms stolen from vehicles, so Nashvillians can see which parts of the city have the most reported gun thefts.

The dashboard shows that reports of stolen firearms mainly come from in two areas: downtown Nashville and Donelson. Within the past year, more than 300 cases have been reported in ZIP codes from those areas.

The data encompasses firearms reported stolen from cars, buildings or from people themselves. Between July 1 and July 14, there were 45 firearms reported stolen across Metro — 38 of them from vehicles. Since January 1, 550 firearms have been reported stolen from vehicles.

“They need to make sure that they keep it locked in either the glove box, the trunk or a secure container that’s attached to the vehicle,” detailed Blaise Lane with High Caliber, who works at a Donelson gun store.

Lane said they're proactive with teaching their customers, especially first-time gun owners, the best ways to store a firearm. That includes securing any guns kept in your vehicle.  

“I would certainly never recommend leaving a firearm in a vehicle overnight, but if you are going to leave it in your vehicle, don’t just tuck it under the seat or in a gym bag in the back,” Lane added.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said the data includes smash-and-grabs as well as those who left their cars unlocked.

The overwhelming majority of firearm thefts are from vehicles. Since July 2, 2024, more than 1,300 firearms have been stolen across Nashville, according to the MNPD. Of those, 1,057 — nearly 80% — were taken from a vehicle.

The MNPD told News 2 it’s fair to attribute many of the gun thefts to those who are from out of town; visitors who are leaving their cars for an extended period of time. Metro police also reinforced their long-running “Park Smart” campaign. The first two points of that system: lock your car, and secure valuables left inside. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/tips-for-securing-your-firearm-as-nashville-police-report-rise-in-firearms-stolen-from-vehicles/