City leaders urge gun owners not to keep firearms in vehicles after 4,100 reported stolen in 2022

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- You will likely see this campaign on your commute around Houston after more than a dozen billboards focused on gun safety were put up around the city.

Local leaders came together at Congregation Beth Israel on Thursday urging all gun owners to safely store their guns to keep them out of the hands of criminals and children.

One thing leaders focused on was asking gun owners not to leave their weapons inside cars unsecured. Law enforcement officials said criminals can steal these guns and then use them to commit crimes.

The Houston Police Department and the Harris County District Attorneys Office are giving out 1,000 free gun locks, but it's first come, first serve.

"Please stop keeping firearms in your vehicles if they're unsecured. HPD reported that over 4,100 firearms were reported stolen out of vehicles last year alone. That's more than 10 a day. Those guns are ending up on the street," Abbie Kamin of District C said.

It was just earlier this month that a 3-year-old boy was killed after accidentally shooting himself after finding his mother's gun in a nightstand. That happened in Wharton.

Then a few days ago, a 16-year-old Dekaney High School student was shot to death in the middle of a parking lot in north Harris County.

The shooter in that case has not been found, but the teenager's final moments were captured on camera as he was talking to someone inside a grey Volkswagen Passat.

The teen's football coach shared memories of the sophomore.

"He was always smiling. He loved his team, he loved his teammates, he loved the game of football. Just was a good kid to be around," the coach said.

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