Firearms in the U.S. are going missing more and more from burglary, according to a new report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The report released Tuesday recorded that 18,394 firearms were reported lost or stolen from federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in 2016. Around half of those were lost due to burglary, larceny, or robbery.
The number of lost or stolen firearms is up by 3,594 since 2015.
Kevin O’Keefe, Chief of ATF’s Operational Intelligence Division said the data is “fluid” at the moment.
ATF officials are fairly certain the stolen guns are in the hands of gang members and on the black market.
Georgia reported the highest number of theft or losses with 150 reports of 1,539 lost or stolen firearms. Florida came in second with 216 reports of 1,260, and Texas took third place with 248 reports of 1,247.
