Gun thefts reported in St. Louis up compared to last year

ST. LOUIS -- Gun thefts in St. Louis are up significantly this year, with many of them being stolen from vehicles, according to police.

More than 180 guns were reported stolen in the first four months of 2015, a 65 percent increase from the same period last year, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. In May, an additional 29 were reported stolen as of Monday, putting it on pace with May 2014.

The total figure for 2015 is likely higher, because some gun thefts aren't reported to authorities. Missouri doesn't require residents to report when guns are lost or stolen.

Chief Sam Dotson suspects more people are leaving guns in their cars when they go to venues that prohibit firearms. He adds in many of the break-ins, the firearm is the only item missing from the car.

"Criminals have figured this out," he said. "That's what they're looking for."

He recommends gun owners who leave their firearms in vehicles secure them in a lockbox.

Duke University professor Philip Cook said most people who steal guns are likely more interested in selling them than using them to commit crimes.

"I think the answer is similar to what happens to electronic gear that's stolen, or jewelry," said Cook, who studies the economics of crime.

Many gun shops have reported increases in sales following months of unrest in Ferguson, resulting from the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown by a police officer. Some counties in the area also have seen a rise in the number of new applications for concealed-carry permits.

The application numbers in St. Louis County each month have gradually begun to return to lower levels after peaking at 1,086 in December. Still, the nearly 3,500 applications filed as of April this year is up 179 percent from the same time period in 2014.

Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com