The Las Cruces Police Department has issued a plea to local gun owners: keep your firearms out of your vehicles. This call to action comes after a troubling uptick in gun thefts from automobiles, a trend mirroring a nationwide issue. According to the Las Cruces Police Department, since January 2022, almost three-quarters of the firearms stolen in the city were taken from vehicles. A staggering 429 of the 578 gun thefts reported between Jan. 1, 2022, and Sept. 24, 2025, occurred in this manner.
When compared to residential burglaries, where 143 guns were lifted from homes in the same time frame, the problem seems almost anchored in our cars, in the glove compartments and under the seats, where assurance seems misplaced and security illusory. The numbers don't lie; in 2022 alone, 117 guns were stolen, with 90 of them taken from vehicles, and by 2023, that number had jumped to 201 weapons, and a staggering 150 of them from vehicles, as outlined in the official release.
However, progression in awareness may be budding; the tally dropped to 157 total gun thefts in 2024, 121 out of vehicles. Continuing the descending trend, 2025 has seen 103 gun thefts thus far, with 68 from vehicles. Although still alarmingly high, this reflects a gradual decrease. The Las Cruces Police are not merely standing by raising awareness. They have proactively offered a series of prevention tips to curb this criminal spate. Simple advice, like removing firearms and related equipment from vehicles when unattended and locking doors, can make a significant impact.
