STORE, SECURE YOUR GUN WITH CARE, POLICE WARN

Highlighting a recent rifle theft from an auto parked on Market Street, the Denver Police Department is appealing to gun owners to store and secure their firearms - "responsibly".

"Stolen firearms are often used in the commission of other crimes and pose significant dangers to the entire community," police said, noting that so far this year 98 guns have been stolen from autos across the city. Last year, 550 guns were stolen from vehicles in Denver. Illustrating the danger, police report:

"At about 2 AM on July 16, 2025, a victim walked into the District 6 Station to report a theft from a motor vehicle incident. The victim explained that passersby alerted him when they saw an unknown suspect breaking into his vehicle while it was parked on Market Street. "The victim quickly returned to his vehicle, but the suspect had already fled the scene. When he checked to see if anything was taken, he found his rifle missing."

Police offer this guidance to gun owners: "Handguns must be in a locked, hard-sided container out of sight or in the locked trunk. Other firearms must be in a locked container (hard- or soft-sided) out of view. If using a soft-sided case, a locking device must be attached to the firearm." [Photo: Wikipedia]