Police Ask Gun Owners to Stop Leaving Firearms in Vehicles

The Las Cruces Police Department is once again asking gun owners to refrain from leaving firearms in vehicles.

Since January 2022, nearly 75 percent of firearms stolen in Las Cruces were reportedly taken during automobile burglaries. Of the 578 firearms reported stolen between Jan. 1, 2022, and Sept. 24, 2025, 429 were taken from the gunowner’s vehicle.

By comparison, 143 guns were stolen in residential burglaries during the same time span, Jan. 1, 2022, through July 15, 2025.

The increased number of firearms stolen from vehicles is a trend that’s been seen nationally.

Year-by-year reports of stolen firearms in Las Cruces:

• 2022    117 guns stolen, 90 from vehicles
• 2023    201 guns stolen, 150 from vehicles
• 2024    157 guns stolen, 121 from vehicles
• 2025    103 guns stolen, 68 from vehicles (through Sept. 24)

The Las Cruces Police Department offers these tips to help prevent firearm thefts:

• Remove firearms, ammunition, magazines and accessories when leaving your vehicle unattended.
• Roll up windows and lock doors when leaving a vehicle unattended
• Remove firearms and accessories before loaning a vehicle or leaving it at a repair shop.
• Refrain from showing off your firearms to casual acquaintances, strangers or via social media.
• Avoid decals or window stickers that identify yourself as a gun owner. Someone looking to steal may see that as an advertisement for what might be inside.
• Record the make, model and serial number of all firearms you own and keep that information in a safe place if needed to file a report.
• Call police immediately at (575) 526-0795 to report a stolen firearm.

Police also encourage parents to be more attentive to their children and the friends they keep. Parents should have frank discussions with their children on the dangers and implications of handling or possessing a stolen firearm.