METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT of Nashville and Davidson County Solin Cooper, Mayor Joba C. Drake March 21, 2023 Chie Paice Representative Clay Doggett ‘Chairman, Criminal Justice Subcommittee Cordell Hull Bldg,, Suite 520 Nashville, TN 37243 Re: HB1233/SB1029 Dear Representative Doggett: I want to begin this letter by expressing my sincere appreciation to you and members of the Senate for your support of the conscientious and dedicated men and women of the Nashville Police Department and our colleagues across Tennessee, I do not believe you hear that enough. | preface my remarks concerning the issue HB1233/SB1029 attempt to address by saying that I am a very strong proponent of gun ownership and personally own multiple firearms. With gun ownership comes serious responsibility on several fronts, including securing guns, particularly in motor vehicles, so that they do not come into the hands of thieves/violent criminals. We in law enforcement have a problem in this regard. Despite our continuous efforts over the past few years to persuade gun owners to secure their weapons in parked vehicles, including in the driveways of their homes, a record number of guns were stolen ftom vehicles in Nashville in 2022 (1,378). Memphis also set a record in guns stolen from vehicles (2,740). Year to date, more than 240 guns have been stolen from vehicles in Nashville; more than 605 in Memphis, ‘We have been working to find a solution to the escalating problem of guns being stolen from vehicles. A few years ago, our department's public affairs team began a continuing WEEKLY ‘media release/social media campaign pointing to the number of guns stolen from vehicles each week and the running tally year to date. Nashville media outlets regularly assist us by reporting the weekly numbers and encouraging persons to secure their firearms and valuables. We have even posted signage in various locations across the city urging motorists to park smart and secure ‘guns and personal belongings. Despite these ongoing requests for enhanced personal responsibility, the number of guns stolen from vehicles has only increased in Nashville: 2022: 1,378 2021: 1,303 2020: 968 2019: 848 ‘And Memphis: 600 Mucticeshr Pike » P.O. Box 196399 + Nasvlle, Teese 372196989 + Phone (6S)2022: 2,740 2021; 2,254 2020; 1,459 2019: 1,159 In our Nashville experience, we know that guns stolen from vehicles are seen again in the commission of violent crimes. The 9 millimeter pistol used by juveniles to rob and kill Belmont graduate and local musician Kyle Yorlets in February 2019 was stolen from a vehicle, The gun’s ‘owner had left it in the vehicle while he traveled out of state for a few days. A few other examples: A Glock .45 caliber pistol stolen from a pickup truck in July 2021, was used in a shootout in West Nashville on September 21, 2022, No one was hit; A Glock 9 millimeter pistol stolen from a car on January 2, 2022, was used in a non-lethal shooting incident on August 6, 2022, in which four persons were wounded, and a shooting incident on September 11, 2022, in which shots were fired at a home; A Glock 9 millimeter pistol stolen from a car on September 9, 2022, was used in a non-lethal shooting on September 22, 2022, in which a 17-year-old female was struck. ‘Most of the individuals involved in the above incidents were juveniles. Diligent detective work, combined with the microscopic analysis of shell casings, led to multiple arrests in the above related cases on October 3, 2022. During the execution of a search warrant at an East Nashville apartment, our team recovered a total of 7 firearms, 4 of which were stolen pistols. We are working very hard to identify and arrest the persons responsible for gun crimes in Nashville. Our precision policing efforts are meeting with success, and, with the assistance of our federal partners, we are holding gun criminals accountable, Today, I am asking for your help on the front end. I am asking for the assistance of our legislature to, in its wisdom, help us convince/deter lawful gun owners from leaving firearms unsecured in unattended vehicles, am grateful to you for considering the information in this letter, and I thank you for your service to the Great State of Tennessee, Sincerely, Cubs c. ae John C. Drake Chief of Police c: The Honorable Cameron Sexton, Speaker of the House Members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee Representative Caleb Hemmer (Sponsor of HB1233)