AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
DATE: September 2, 2024
INCIDENT TYPE: Gun Safety- Right to Carry, Duty to Secure
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Martin Birkenfeld-Chief of Police; Sgt. Carla Burr-PIO
DETAILS: This week Shaquille O'Neal and police departments across the country are teaming up to make sure gun owners everywhere practice firearms security and safety at home.
According to the latest available data, most Americans, including gun owners, agree that firearm security by people who lawfully own guns is reasonable and necessary.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm injuries were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-19 years old. According to Pew, over half of all suicides (55%) were committed with firearms, and according to Harvard’s School of Public Health, access to firearms is associated with increased suicide risk.
Each year, approximately 200,000 guns are stolen in private theft incidents.
The leading source for stolen guns is vehicles, and the rate of these thefts is triple what it was a decade ago.
In Amarillo, from January 2019 until August 2024, 1126 guns were taken from vehicles. All those thefts could have been prevented by the gun owner taking their gun inside the home. Gun safes made specifically for autos, are also a responsible way for gun owners to store their weapons. Leaving a gun in your car unsecured is unacceptable and can lead to serious and dangerous consequences in our community.
That's why this PSA is a "slam dunk" for families across America. Take it from Shaq, "You may have a right to carry, but you have a duty to secure your firearms."
Right to Carry Duty to Secure PSA Video
