Boardman police are investigating the theft of a loaded handgun from a vehicle early Wednesday morning.

A resident on Paxton Road contacted authorities at approximately 6 a.m. after discovering his Chevy truck had been entered overnight. The owner told officers he found the center console and glovebox of the truck open.

Missing from the vehicle were a Sig Sauer P365 XL 9mm handgun and a loaded magazine. The owner stated the firearm had been kept in the center console while the magazine was stored in the glovebox.

Officers noted there were no signs of forced entry into the truck. The victim told police he was unsure if the vehicle was locked when he parked it the previous evening.

Investigators are currently reviewing footage from a nearby doorbell camera that may have captured the incident. The stolen firearm has been entered into a national database for stolen property.

In response to rising firearm thefts from vehicles across the country, safety experts emphasize that responsible storage is the best way to stop thieves. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), simply locking vehicle doors, trunks, or glove compartments is not enough, as these areas are easily broken into.

"No one wants their gun stolen from their vehicle and to live with the thought that it could be used in a crime," said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. Bartozzi encourages gun owners who must temporarily leave a weapon in a car to use a secure storage device that keeps the firearm hidden and out of reach of criminals.

To prevent unauthorized access and theft, the NSSF and Project ChildSafe provide the following guidelines for gun owners:

  • Use a dedicated lock box: A lockable gun case or a specialized lock box is a practical choice for vehicle storage. These devices offer more protection than a standard glove box because they are much harder and more time-consuming for a thief to open.
  • Secure the device to the car: Owners should bolt or tether their lock box to the vehicle frame whenever possible. Some companies even make custom-fitted storage compartments designed for specific car models.
  • Keep it out of sight: Firearms and storage cases should always be hidden from view to avoid attracting "prying eyes."
  • Limit storage time: Avoid leaving a firearm in a vehicle for a long period. When you arrive home, you should always take the firearm inside and place it in a secure home storage area.
  • Consider fast-access safes: For those worried about self-defense, many lockable safes allow for extremely quick access while still preventing children or thieves from getting to the weapon.

For more information on responsible gun ownership and safety programs, residents can visit NSSF.org/safety or ProjectChildSafe.org.