The Knoxville Police Department is seeing an alarming trend of guns being stolen from vehicles.

As of November 15, KPD has received 103 vehicular burglary reports that included the theft of a firearm. Police says it is a concerning trend that puts the public at risk because stolen firearms are often used in the commission of other violent crimes or dangerous felonies.

Vehicular burglaries are largely crimes of opportunity. Police say you should always lock you vehicle and valuables should either be removed from the vehicle or secured and hidden away out of sight before exiting your vehicle.

Gun owners should keep a record of the serial number so if it’ is stolen it helps identify and recover that gun.