The Trumbull Police Department emphasizes the necessity of securely stored firearms to prevent them from ending up in the wrong hands. All aspects of gun safety are extremely important, but when it comes to accessibility firearms must always be properly locked away and inaccessible to others, especially children. Firearms must also be kept out of sight to help deter unlawful access, especially if locked in a vehicle.

Police are investigating recent incidents where firearms were stolen from parked and unoccupied vehicles in Trumbull. A handgun was reported to have been stolen from the glove box of a vehicle that was parked at the Westfield Trumbull Mall, and shotgun was stolen from the trunk of a vehicle that was parked in a residential driveway.

A vehicle was parked at the Westfield Trumbull Mall, near LA Fitness, that was left unoccupied for a short period of time during the afternoon hours. When the victim returned to their vehicle, they noticed several items missing, to include a GLOCK 9mm handgun. The vehicle was reported to have been locked with the firearm being stored inside of the locked glove box.

A short time later, another theft of a firearm was reported to the Trumbull police, from a vehicle that was parked in a residential driveway on White Plains Road during the evening hours. This victim reported that upon returning to their vehicle, they noticed that the trunk was ajar, and their Sampiyon/Panzer shotgun was missing from the trunk of this vehicle.

These are active police investigations, and the Trumbull police are requesting any information regarding any stolen firearms, or illegal activity involving firearms. All calls and tips may remain anonymous. Always remember, if you observe any suspicious activity call the police right away. To contact the Trumbull Police Department please call 203-261-3665, or dial 911 for all emergencies.

A few Connecticut laws relating to the storage of firearms are as follows:

No person shall store or keep any pistol or revolver in any motor vehicle that is unattended unless such pistol or revolver is in the trunk, a locked safe or locked glove box. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a class D felony for any subsequent offense.

Connecticut law prohibits an individual from storing or keeping a loaded firearm on any premises under his control if he knows, or reasonably should know, that a minor (a person under age 16) can get it. Criminally negligent storage of a firearm is a class D felony that carries a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Any individual who legally possesses a firearm that is lost or stolen must report the loss or theft to the police department of the town in which the loss or theft occurred. If the town does not have a police department, the owner must report to the State Police. A first-time unintentional failure to report within the deadline is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $90; a subsequent unintentional failure is a class D felony, punishable by one to five years imprisonment, up to a $5,000 fine, or both. Any intentional failure to report is a class C felony, punishable by one to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both.