Norfolk VA: Police see burglary trend: Pro-gun stickers on cars lead to guns in homes

3953 Views 36 Replies 28 Participants Last post by ccw9mm, Mar 31, 2013

paramedic70002

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2013

Thieves targeting gunowners in Norfolk - Local News - Portsmouth, VA | NBC News

Police warn owners of bumper stickers alleging gun ownership could be targets of thieves in Norfolk.

Norfolk police reports show a trend of home burglaries involving people with tactical or gun stickers on their cars.

Some of the the stickers promote a particular gun brand or have message promoting the right to bear arms. Police said while these stickers show pride, they also show thieves you have firearms in your home.

"I guess I'm not too surprised it's happening," gun owner Chad Hixson said. "If you're going to broadcast that you own a gun, it's almost like inviting trouble."

That is why Hixson said he wouldn't be caught putting a gun bumper sticker on his car or home.

"I think it's a little overboard," Hixson said. "It's almost like you are kind of flaunting it. It's like saying, 'Come mess with me. I dare you.' It's almost like you are asking to pick a fight with somebody."

Norfolk Crime Prevention isn't telling gun owners not to flaunt these stickers, but they are telling them to be careful, and mindful of the dangers.

They also suggest keeping your guns locked up in a secure, safe place, and keeping the model and serial numbers of all firearms.

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Ghost1958

· #2 · Mar 30, 2013

Yep if im a thief I definitely want to hit a home where I know im likely to get my headblown off.

This ranks right up there with the make it click seat belt drives LE comes up with. Next to helmet laws forcing an adult to strap themself into a vehicle or face a fine is as asinine as useless gun regs.

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chuckusaret

· #3 · Mar 30, 2013

I dare a thief to enter my house, and if one should, he will meet a 85 lb dog that dislikes everyone except members of the household and my wife who is a avid shooter. If he gets by the dog and wife I doubt that he could walk out with my 1,475 lb safe(empty) that is also bolted to a concrete floor. Yes, I have an NRA and a US Army retired stickers on my car.

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Richard58

· #4 · Mar 30, 2013

Well most thieves will break into ur house when ur not home. They don't want to confront anyone to get dope money.

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ccw9mm

· #5 · Mar 30, 2013 (Edited)

Ghost1958 said:
Yep if im a thief I definitely want to hit a home where I know im likely to get my headblown off.

If I were a thief, I'd pay attention to such opportunities as they presented themselves, then I'd filter the ones that held the greatest prospect for a return with minimal risk. Such as, by doing the homework to identify who's got clear signs of value, who's got clear signs of not being there during the work day, etc. Doing it blindly, as you say, can easily result in facing gunfire on the way in. (Which is, IMO, a big reason why many of these cretins are coming in tag-teams, heavily armed and extremely violent from the outset.)

Any way you slice it, signs notify. The assailants get pre-warned, and they become aware there's value inside. No real way around that.

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velo99

· #6 · Mar 30, 2013

Took all of the stickers off my truck except the school one for my kids. Even my NASCAR stickers are history.

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Ghost1958

· #7 · Mar 30, 2013

Maybe im a little skittish or just not a thief at heart. Yeah the stickers say either your pro gun or you have one. Maybe a lot. Maybe a 22 Marlin is all there is too. I dont think Id risk getting it wrong and somebody being home when I thought there wasnt and being ventilated. But thats just me. Id rather break in one of the liberal folks that are well off but think PD will save the day and maybe face a viscious poodle :gah:
I dont have stickers anyway except one that says heavily medicated for your protection :wink:

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srings

· #8 · Mar 30, 2013

Pride and promotion: the fine line one walks with stickers or signage. As mama always said, "Better safe than sorry." I've got a couple of small S&W signs in my garage hanging on the back wall peg board with some tools, trouble lights, ext. cords, etc. Though I like them and intuitively thought they might send a message of "don't even think of breaking into this house", this post has me thinking maybe the opposite. I might have to reconsider relocating the signage to the unfinished part of the basement/workshop...hhhmmm.

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GunTrooper

· #9 · Mar 30, 2013

...guns are pretty valuable, and just imagine the value, to a criminal, of a gun that cannot be tracked to him. They will definitely conduct surveilence and attempt to get at your guns when you are not there, especially if they think you have good quality guns...

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ANGLICO

· #10 · Mar 30, 2013

I don't 'promote' my 2A views because I'm more afraid of the Teacher/Lesbian couple across the street constantly calling the cops on me.....for no reason other then their feelings and political views are offended..................... Kind of like that $500 bounty in NY.

However, when the SHIF, they might be the first people caught out in the open.............. That is their decision.

Socialism sucks! Period.

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ccw9mm

· #11 · Mar 30, 2013

Frankly, I'd rather put four 12" dog bowls and a couple of destroyed "chewy" toys out on the back porch than emblazon my home with stickers. Makes a better statement, and it doesn't portray a houseful of valuable items to be gotten. But that's just me.

Bowl #1: Titan
Bowl #2: Spork
Bowl #3: Badger
Bowl #4: Tas

Let 'em come. :image035:

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OkSlim

· #12 · Mar 30, 2013

I don't do stickers on my vehicles but here in Oklahoma, I would be less likely to be attacked if I had a gun sticker on my truck than if I had an Obama sticker.

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wtexasprincipal

· #13 · Mar 30, 2013

Yep, no stickers for me. I want them guessing.......

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ANGLICO

· #14 · Mar 30, 2013

OkSlim said:
I don't do stickers on my vehicles but here in Oklahoma, I would be less likely to be attacked if I had a gun sticker on my truck than if I had an Obama sticker.

Welcome to the DC Forum, Sir.

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Dandyone

· #15 · Mar 30, 2013

velo99 said:
Took all of the stickers off my truck except the school one for my kids. Even my NASCAR stickers are history.

Afraid the thugs are going to steal your NASCAR?

LOL, the way that was worded made me laugh.

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BugDude

· #16 · Mar 30, 2013

I don't advertise guns, politics, or anything else on my car or home. Outside of the bowtie and word "Chevrolet" on my truck, it is as vanilla as it gets.

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blitzburgh

· #17 · Mar 30, 2013

Only thing I advertise is that I'm a Steelers fan (small magnet, not a fan of stickers) which I suppose could be just as bad as a political one in some areas..

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RETSUPT99

· #18 · Mar 30, 2013

No stickers here...

Just put a pair of size 14 work boots, a super large dog bowl, and a pile of horse manure next to the dog bowl...out on the front porch.
Then a note on the door that reads, "Buba, had to take the mailman to the ER, killer tore into him again...it's OK, Killer is still in the house, but he's still kind of moody, so be careful!"
I'll be home real soon...Bobby Sue...

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ANGLICO

· #19 · Mar 30, 2013

In My Humble Opinion - this is bunk!

WAKE UP, you all!

They are forcing us to hide, because we are not politically correct for this momement in history...............

Fight and be Vocal.

The Progressive = 'Regrissive Left' would like to see you as 'haters'. They frame you that way, and hate you, regardless of your skin color. Just ask me.

Semper Fi,

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Phaedrus

· #20 · Mar 30, 2013

I'm really surprised by some of the responses here! Everyone can take off the tinfoil hats, this has nothing to do with politics. It's simple common sense. If you buy a new 70" flatscreen TV you wouldn't set the box our by the recycling bin if you had a lick of common sense, and this is the same thing. Most of us here know that the bulk of guns used in crimes are stolen, but consider this: Where were they stolen from? Yeah, that's right- homes like yours and mine! Your "Protected by Smith & Wesson" sticker in the window of your house might scare off a home invader but a burglar isn't looking to confront you, he's gonna do his shopping when you're not home.

Sure, you have a right to do what you want. But it's a case of could vs should. My windows all have window treatments, curtains or blinds, that prevent someone from seeing anything in my house. If I have to dispose of a box from something expensive I generally razor it into chunks that will fit in a bag and/or fit my recycle bin. I don't leave anything expensive or valuable visible on my dash or truck seat, either. There are no "cause" stickers on my truck bumpers.

If you still don't believe thieves ever target homes just to score guns, consider the story of the newspapers that published the addresses of citizens that had CCW permits. Several of the homes listed were burglarized shortly thereafter. Again, you're free to do whatever you like, just don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

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