Protecting Your Guns

New gun control laws are prompting people to buy guns, sometimes for the first time. And with weapons flying off store shelves, people want to make sure those guns don't end up in the hands of the wrong person.

In order to legally buy a gun, you have to go through a background check. But criminals can find ways to get around the law. That means innocent people need to protect their weapons.

On December 14th, Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people inside Sandy Hook Elementary School. Police say the guns he used belonged to his mother.

"It's not the weapons that's the problem," said Mark Bailey, who is an attorney and former firearms instructor. "It's having unauthorized people having access to the weapons."

"The primary way is through thefts, auto thefts and home thefts," said Captain Dexter Nelson.

The Oklahoma City Police Department says people who are not authorized to have guns have found ways to get around the law.

"We hear of criminals that are not supposed to have guns quite often," said Nelson.

Attorney Mark Bailey is also a former firearms instructor. Bailey uses his gun to protect his house, but he also does his best to keep his gun from getting into the wrong hands.

"I would probably feel the same way I would feel is someone stole my car and hit someone else with it, I would feel horrible," said Bailey.

When Bailey is home, he stores his gun in a safe.

"It not only protects the firearm, but it protects those that aren't authorized to be around the firearm," said Bailey.

"I was talking with a couple sheriffs the other day and they told me that is one of the major things that they have to deal with, is people getting into houses and stealing guns," said Kathy Arnott.

Kathy Arnott just bought her very first gun. Police say gun owners like Arnott need to take extra precautions against theft.

"We've encountered burglars that will break into cars or homes for the sole reason to steal guns and then to recirculate those guns to other criminals," said Nelson. 

Captain Dexter Nelson says to take precautions if you leave your gun in your car.

"Try to park it in a visible place where people can see your car, where there's a lot of traffic," said Nelson.

Now as Arnott gets used to being a gun owner, she also plans to protect her weapon.

"We'll get a gun safe and keep it in there," said Arnott.

Attorney Mark Bailey says if you have a gun, make sure you keep a record of your weapon's serial number and keep pictures of your gun in a separate place. That way if it's ever stolen, you'll have enough information to give police.

MARISA MENDELSON, FOX 25 NEWS
MLMENDELSON@OKCFOX.COMProtecting Your Guns

Posted: Friday, January 18 2013, 09:55 PM CST