Law enforcement leaders in Bexar County, alongside federal authorities, have issued an appeal to gun owners to secure their firearms in response to a disturbing rise in gun thefts, particularly from vehicles, in the San Antonio area.
During a news conference on January 10, U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza disclosed statistics revealing that a staggering 3,146 guns were stolen in San Antonio alone in 2023.
The issue extends beyond San Antonio, with over 25,000 guns pilfered from vehicles across Texas’ largest metropolitan areas, including San Antonio, Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston, in the last three years.
The problem affects all areas of the country; statistics from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives show about 1.07 million guns were reported stolen from 2017 to 2021. Of those thefts, 96% affected private citizens.
The joint press conference, hosted by Esparza, SAPD Chief William McManus, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and District Attorney Joe Gonzales, warned of the dangers of leaving firearms in vehicles, which McManus identified as easy targets for criminals.
McManus highlighted the connection between stolen guns and violent crimes, citing the case of Jesse Garcia, who allegedly shot three San Antonio police officers in August using a stolen firearm.
“Many of the guns that we recover [that were] used in criminal offenses, we find are stolen,” he said.
One concerning trend identified by law enforcement is the targeting of pickup trucks, where criminals believe guns are more likely to be stored inside.
McManus described the tactics employed by vehicle burglars, including parking in empty slots, disabling horns and swiftly committing the crime within seconds.
According to Gonzales, it is difficult to prosecute such crimes due to their rapid nature.
“Our prosecution rate is very high but the problem is, as I’ve mentioned before, arresting those individuals is very difficult. We’re committed to successfully prosecuting individuals when we can,” Gonzales said.
Meanwhile, Esparza urged gun owners to take responsibility for securing their firearms, either in a locked safe in their vehicles or at home, warning of the risks of leaving firearms unsecured.
“Leaving your firearm unsecure in your vehicle is not just negligence, it’s an open invitation to chaos,” Esparza said. “Think about it, the gun that was intended to protect yourself and your loved ones could end up in the wrong hands, wielded by somebody driven by desperation, fueled by rage or blinded by ignorance.”
Law enforcement officials suggested investing in a gun safe as a crucial step in preventing thefts.
Gonzales shared his personal experience, stating: “Purchase and invest in a gun safe… A good gun safe will cost you probably about double of what the average handgun will go for at a gun shop.”
The crime map revealed that the north and northwest sides of San Antonio are hotspots for gun thefts, particularly in retail parking lots and parts of Alamo Ranch.
McManus concluded by advising gun owners to make prior arrangements if they are unable to carry their firearms into certain establishments, explaining that it only takes a few seconds to properly store a gun and prevent potential tragedies.
