Patterns and characteristics of firearm thefts from vehicles in San Antonio, Texas

Firearm thefts from motor vehicles are currently the leading source of stolen firearms in the United States. Yet little is known about the temporal, spatial, and contextual characteristics of these thefts. This study aims to advance understanding of firearm theft from vehicles by analyzing all reported incidents that occurred in San Antonio, Texas, in 2024.

Data are extracted from police reports from all reported incidents of firearm theft from vehicles reported to the San Antonio Police Department between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Information on the number and type of firearms stolen, vehicle make and model, date, and location of the incident was analyzed.

In 2024, 2,465 firearms were reported stolen across 2,210 separate incidents. Most incidents (91.7%) involved the theft of a single firearm. Handguns represented 92.1% of all stolen firearms. Firearm thefts were most common on weekends, particularly Saturdays, and were more prevalent in April, July, and October. Pickup trucks were the most frequent type of vehicle with a firearm theft reported (68.9%). The most common locations of thefts included vehicles parked at hotels (24.6%), shopping centers (19.8%), and private residences (16.0%).

The results reveal distinct patterns in the timing, location, and types of vehicles associated with firearm thefts. The findings hold potential implications for strategies to reduce firearm thefts from vehicles, such as targeted public awareness campaigns, promoting vehicle secure storage, and place-based policing strategies.