While I will argue against laws against it, I cannot fathom what makes someone decide to leave their guns in their cars, much less leave those cars unlocked. Yet it happens with way too much regularity, based on what many local officials are telling the media. Granted, they could be overstating the problem for political effect, but if it’s happening at all in these communities, it means there’s a large number of people acting very stupidly throughout this country.
That shouldn’t be happening.
Luckily, we have the police to provide a model for us. After all, no law enforcement officer would do such a thing. They know better, right?
Right?
Carmel Police continued their investigation into several car burglaries last week, including thefts from off-duty cars parked at the homes of Carmel, Westfield and Noblesville police officers.
CPD admits an unidentified firearm was stolen from its officer’s car. A Westfield officer reported a stolen handgun. The unmarked Noblesville police vehicle was hit for police gear but no weapons.
While the investigation into the thefts continues, whether or not the officers violated departmental policies by leaving firearms and other police items inside their vehicles outside their homes is yet to be revealed.
Carmel PD’s General Orders are available online, Westfield PD requires an Open Records Act request to release its internal policies while Noblesville PD responded with a copy of its General Orders.
“When the vehicle is unattended, firearms will be secured outside the passenger compartment unless properly secured. (E.g. gun lock),” reads NPD General Order 7.3. “All firearms shall be secured in a safe location when not in the direct control of the officer,” reads NPD GO 4.3, listing, “Locked weapons rack, locking compartment, locked glove box, etc., versus tossed under the seat, stuck in side door panel, etc.” as proper secure storage alternatives in an unattended vehicle.
Whoops.
The article goes on to quote a former sheriff who notes that police cars are obvious targets because bad guys know there are guns and electronics inside. Sure, it’s risky, but the potential reward likely makes it worth the effort.
And just like that, criminals in Carmel, Indiana are getting guns by stealing them from police.
Now, understand that police officers are people, which means they suffer from all the same foibles that the average citizen does. They can definitely feel like their neighborhood is safe enough that they don’t have to worry, but then you couple it with a belief that no one would be stupid enough to try and break into a cop car and you have a recipe for complacency.
Meanwhile, we regular folks are being told in many communities that we’re the problem for doing pretty much the same thing the police are doing.
The issue, though, is that while I may think it’s a bad idea to leave guns in cars, whether one is law enforcement or not, the truth is that the issue remains that there are people who are interested in robbing other people. Address that and you address the problem in its totality and do so for everyone.
