Study: California gun thefts from retailers jumped 174 percent in 2016

By Christen Smith

Gun store thefts in California more than doubled last year, according to a study released Tuesday.
The Center for American Progress said federally licensed dealers lost 690 guns to theft in 2016, a 174 percent increase over the year before and quadruple the number of firearms stolen in 2013 and 2014.
“Every two minutes, a gun is stolen in America,” said Chelsea Parsons, vice president of Guns and Crime Policy at the Center for American Progress, in a press release Tuesday. “These stolen guns feed directly into illegal gun trafficking networks and are destined for use in violent crimes, so gun dealers have a substantial obligation to secure their dangerous inventory and prevent against theft.”
California law mandates dealers report lost or stolen guns and ammunition within 48 hours. Retailers must also follow strict security regulations, including storing inventory in a secure facility or locked safe when closed for business.
Cities and counties can impose stricter regulations above and beyond state law, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Despite this, gun thefts from licensed dealers in California ranked fourth in the nation in 2016, just behind Texas, Georgia and Florida.
California gun owners fared worse, losing 132,000 firearms worth over $59.4 million between

Source: Guns.com