VPD urges citizens to secure firearms

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Police Department released a special announcement Friday, Oct. 24, urging gun owners to secure their firearms as the number of reported stolen guns has increased over the last year.

According to the release, VPD is urging residents to take extra precautions to secure their firearms following a growing number of stolen gun reports across the city. From January 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, a total of 171 firearms have been reported stolen within the city limits of Vicksburg.

The department released the following statistics:

2025 (January 1 – September 30)

• 65 guns have been reported stolen
• 46 of those were stolen from vehicles
• 13 from secured (locked) vehicles
• 20 from unsecured (unlocked) vehicles
• 13 where the owner was unsure whether the vehicle was locked

2024

• 106 guns were reported stolen
• 73 were stolen from vehicles
• 20 from locked vehicles
• 21 from unlocked vehicles
• 2 were unsure if the vehicle was unlocked or not or involved domestic-related situations

The Vicksburg Police Department continues to stress one key message: Locked or unlocked — remove your guns from your vehicles.

“We want to remind all firearm owners that responsible gun ownership includes proper storage,” said VPD Chief Larry Burns. “Each of these stolen guns has the potential to be used in another crime. By simply removing firearms from vehicles and keeping track of them, we can significantly reduce these numbers and make our community safer.”

Far too many firearms are being left inside vehicles overnight or during errands, making them easy targets for thieves. Once stolen, these guns often end up being used in other crimes, putting both officers and citizens at greater risk.

Safety Tips for Gun Owners

To help reduce firearm thefts, VPD encourages all residents to follow these important safety reminders:

1. Remove weapons from your vehicle.
   Whether your vehicle is locked or unlocked, the safest place for your firearm is inside your home — not in your car.
2. Keep your gun close when others are in your vehicle.
   We have seen too many reports where guns were stolen after someone offered another person a ride or allowed someone inside their vehicle. Always maintain control of your firearm.

3. Keep a constant check on your gun.
   Don’t wait weeks or months to notice your firearm is missing. Regularly verify that your weapon is secure and accounted for.
4. Have the serial number for your gun readily available.
   When a firearm is stolen, officers can enter the serial number into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) — a nationwide database used by law enforcement agencies to track stolen property.
   Once entered into NCIC, if the firearm is recovered anywhere in the country, law enforcement can trace it back to the rightful owner.
   Without a serial number, the weapon cannot be entered into NCIC, and if it’s found, it cannot be returned to its owner.

For more information about gun safety, contact VPD at 601-801-5307.