Ok - explain this...

[SC Tiger]

I know someone who's house was broken into last Thursday/Friday. Apparently the thieves stayed overnight, ate and drank from the fridge, and took several items - among them electronics (but left the computers), yard equipment (including a riding lawn mower), and jewelry. However, the left probably $4000.00 (minimum) worth of firearms! Why would you leave the guns (trust me he isn't complaining) and take other serial-numbered items like the lawn mower? The guns were not in a safe and not especially hidden (they weren't in plain sight though except for two on a gun rack in a bedroom).

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JD]

Felons who didn't want to risk getting caught with guns?

[HotGuns]

Its actually pretty common. Lots of states have enacted stiffer penalties for any crimes involving a gun and that includes theft.

The crooks dont want to risk stealing a serialized weapon that will have more interest than say,stealing tools or a stereo or something that is untrackable.

[dr_cmg]

Stealing electronics and yard equipment are not federal offenses. Stealing firearms is.

[atctimmy]

It's easy to sell a lawn mower. To sell a gun to a pawn shop you will need to fill out paperwork.

[SIGP250]

I know a homeless person who I give cans to. He would not harm a flee and would be afraid of guns. He told me he had 12 barbecue grills. I said, why do you need 12 barbecue grills? He said, I don't. People leave their garage doors open so they are there for the taking. He was not joking either.

[1911PKR]

Its actually pretty common. Lots of states have enacted stiffer penalties for any crimes involving a gun and that includes theft.

The crooks dont want to risk stealing a serialized weapon that will have more interest than say,stealing tools or a stereo or something that is untrackable.

Yep... and it would be a pretty fair assumption they were felons. They don't want do hard time. Many will in fact sit down and have something to eat and a drink while their "workin". Probably in their union contract.

[joker1]

I dunno, stupid crooks?

[RebelRabbi]

One of them has enough "Legal Knowledge" to leave the guns alone. They took things they could pawn quickly and without much question.

[DaveH]

Its actually pretty common. Lots of states have enacted stiffer penalties for any crimes involving a gun and that includes theft.

The crooks dont want to risk stealing a serialized weapon that will have more interest than say,stealing tools or a stereo or something that is untrackable.

Not only that but the level of LEO's interest can go up, also.

There was a string of robbers, B&E, etc in neighborhood where I lived 15 or so years ago.

The LEOs came, took reports, and nothing was heard for months. It was the common assumption that it was juveniles. A number of folk had an idea (which proved to be correct) who some of the kids were.

Then they stole three handguns.

Immediately, there was a heavy LEO presence, in the neighborhood and at the school. The case was cracked in days by information garnered at the local school -- information about stolen goods from some of the earlier robberies, which IMHO would have stayed under the radar, had not the pressure to find the juveniles who now had guns not ramped up the effort to id the ring.

BTW -- teachers and parents got involved -- not just LEOs.

[GaryB]

previous felony convictions, and a desire not to be hit with a gun crime along with associated penalties....

[SIXTO]

Its the ease of which they can sell the items. Most of the time, burglars already have potential buyers for the merchandise that they steal.

[PaxMentis]

Here the sheriff's department won't even come to the house to take a burglary report, one must go to the station to file one...unless firearms are taken...then they come and do a full investigation.

[OldVet]

Now I know where my grill went!

[Hiram25]

Now I know where my grill went!

He's got twelve of them, he'll probably sell you one cheap!