The most common way criminals get illegal guns is stealing them from cars. The Lubbock Police Department is now warning gun owners to lock their property away.

Lubbock has seen more than 100 stolen guns from cars in the last few months. A national study reported 8 out of 10 gun crimes were committed by criminals with stolen guns.

“So one of the most common ways here in Lubbock that officers see guns stolen is actually from vehicles,” said LPD spokesperson Kasie Whitley. “We ask that you put it in a lock box, put it in a place that makes it that much more difficult to get a firearm.”

LPD recommends not storing guns in your car and instead bringing them into the house each night to prevent theft. If you do have to keep it in your car, LPD recommends locking it away.

LPD addressed that anyone, including those with misdemeanors, can buy guns as long as they’re not a convicted felon.

Gun shop owners said they administer background checks to make sure convicted felons don’t get their hands on guns.

“We’re doing a check with the FBI to make sure you can purchase a hand gun, long gun or others,” said owner of Tasmanian Gun Company, Tim Scarborough. “It normally just takes a matter of minutes and when we get a response it’s one of three things. Proceed, delay or deny.”

Scarborough said this is an important part of buying guns legally.

“A lot of people were really upset about the background checks but to me, that’s the only way we know who this person is,” said Scarborough. “I don’t want to turn around and make a transaction hoping they don’t do something wrong with this gun.”