Theft of five firearms from vehicles in southwest Keyser in an area known as “The Hill” remains under investigation by the Keyser Police Department.It is my contention that leaving a gun in the car is wrong and should be illegal. Leaving the car unlocked is just further evidence of that irresponsibility.
Three incidents were reported Saturday, including theft of a Remington .270 caliber rifle and a Remington .223 caliber rifle from an unlocked vehicle in the 500 block of Baltimore Street; theft of $648 worth of assorted items from an unlocked vehicle in the 500 block of Richmond Street; and theft of two wallets from a vehicle in the 400 block of Ridge Street.
Keyser Police also investigated theft of three firearms from a locked vehicle at the rear of an apartment building on Carskadon Road. Valued at $1,600, the stolen firearms included a Remington .270 caliber rifle, a Savage .22 caliber rifle and a Ruger .22 caliber Magnum rifle. Hunting equipment was also taken.
“We urge residents to keep their vehicles locked to help deter this type of crime,” said a Keyser Police official.
I'm not saying the thieves are not wrong. They are responsible for what they do. But the gun owner who fails to properly store his firearms in a safe manner is guilty of that and should be held accountable.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
What about the people that had their non gun valuables stolen? Those items could be traded for illegal guns or sold and the money used to purchase guns. These people that allow themselves to be victims of theft are aiding criminals in obtaining guns. They need to be prosecuted for failure to secure their valuables just like the gun owners right?
ReplyDeleteI think rape "victims" who made it easy for their attacker should be subject to severe legal penalties. Their carelessness in leaving their vaginas and assholes unsecured leads to the spread of STDs, which threarens everyone.
ReplyDeleteWearing sexy clothes or walking in the park at night is not and should not be a crime. Failure to secure your guns is, or at least it should be.
DeleteWhy? Both relate to the rights of the good citizen. The more you surrender to thugs, the less safe any legitimate activity will be.
DeleteI would think the certainly should have locked the vehicle, it is absurd to suggest anyone be legally required to prevent the theft of their property.
ReplyDeleteWhy would that be absurd when gun theft is one of the major sources of guns that end up in criminal hands?
DeleteBecause the property belongs to the good citizen. Not securing it may be financially harmful to that person, but it's still the choice of the owner. You want to take away choice.
Deletemikeb - theft of anything of value is a source of financing the purchase of guns by criminals. Why shouldn't we legally require people to prevent anything of value from being stolen?
DeleteThis:
ReplyDelete"A hunting law requires that firearms in a motor vehicle be
unloaded. In addition, firearms must be cased or taken apart
during the evening and night hours. (http://www.mycal.net/Group42/weapons/laws/wv.htm)
would indicate that there are laws on the book making it illegal to leave a loaded firearm in an auto at any time or an assembled vehicle not in its case during the evening ar at night.
The conclusion which a reasonable person might come to is that either the neighborhood sees a lot of theft during daylight hours OR the people who owned the firearms might have been, "breakin' the law, breakin' the law!" in having their weapons loaded during the day or uncased/assembled in the evening or at night. I know this concept is very, very difficult for the OLGO's of Greg Camp's vast circle of fellow gunzloonz but, unortunately, lotsa folks don't really follow the law when it's cumbersome.
"Because the property belongs to the good citizen. Not securing it may be financially harmful to that person, but it's still the choice of the owner. You want to take away choice.".
So, that means that you don't believe in securing your home and other property? I mean, we know how you feel about the people who would steal your shit--as far as you're concerned they deserve to die if they attempt to do so. So why bother locking shit up, if you can just shoot the perp. It's like baiting deer, but wtf, your friends will never know how you got the trophy.
DC - where in the report does it say the stolen weapons were loaded or not in a case/taken apart while stored in the cars?
DeleteDemocommie, you make this too easy:
Delete1. The law about weapons being unloaded typically applies to people without licenses to carry. I'm not as familiar with the laws of West Virginia as I am with those of the states where I've lived and carried, but here in Arkansas, we even allow a loaded handgun in a vehicle without a license if the person is on a peaceable journey.
2. Did I say that I leave my doors unlocked? I said that it is the right of the owner to do so. I choose to lock my doors because that makes sense to me. I'll go so far as to say that leaving doors unlocked is a bad idea. But in no way is the owner morally responsible for the actions of a thief.
Next time you comment, why not try thinking? It'll hurt after so long not doing it, but the rewards are many.
Democommie, please explain to us why you believe an unloaded firearm is harder to steal than a loaded one. I could see a loaded one being harder to steal, but only if it is being held by someone who doesn't want it stolen. Also please explain how a cased firearm is harder to steal. Many cases have "easy carry" handles, and contain multiple firearms. Very convenient to walk away with several in those cases, not?
ReplyDelete