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Now what kind of thief would steal a handgun from an unlocked car, take out the bullets, bag the gat and return it with a Sharpie-scrolled message warning about the danger to children of an unsecured firearm? Someone who grew up watching Mr. Rogers change into his sweater. [Click here for the video report.] In other words, a neighbor. Hey that’s a felony! Breaking into a car I mean. At the same time, I’m wondering why the Florida po-po didn’t throw the book at the gun’s owner, Mike Maisonnueve (and why Mikey didn’t STFU). According to Florida statute 790.174 (“Safe storage of firearms required”) . . .

A person who stores or leaves, on a premise under his or her control, a loaded firearm, as defined in s.790.001, and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor’s parent or the person having charge of the minor, or without the supervision required by law, shall keep the firearm in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a reasonable person would believe to be secure or shall secure it with a trigger lock, except when the person is carrying the firearm on his or her body or within such close proximity thereto that he or she can retrieve and use it as easily and quickly as if he or she carried it on his or her body.

Can you say “Book ’em Dan-o”? I knew you could.

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20 COMMENTS

  1. This is the craziest story I’ve heard in a while…

    Was this someone who knew he kept a gun in the car, and did this to teach the guy a lesson? Or was this an actual thief who doesn’t like guns?

    Either way… Bet he won’t be leaving a loaded and unsecured gun in an unlocked car again!

    • I bet he will actually. Someone terminally stupid as to leave a gun in an unsecured vehicle isn’t playing with a full deck.

  2. the gun and knife were returned. a gun safety message was left. so the gun safety nazi fairy is going around looking into the neighbors cars to check for violations. and then leaving the gun laying in an even more exposed location in a neighberhood full of children. somebody needs to learn a valuablr lesson . the gun owner learned his, now it’s time for the gun safety nazi fairy to learn his.

  3. Scrawling a message is almost like a signature in some cases. I wonder if the gun owner himself was involved in playing this game? I don’t consider the person who did this so much a thief as I do a person with the need to be a hero and having disgust with those who don’t practice responsible safe gun ownership.

    Nice house and boat!

  4. I call Felony Stupid! He probably does know who did this. He left the car unlocked. He left the gun unsecured. But through all that he still gets his gun back. OK so he learns his lesson. Then he calls the LEO’s because someone ripped off his bullets! This should be considered for the IGOTD award. He just used up his 15 minutes of fame.

  5. I saw this story last night, and thought about sending it in. But I didn’t, out of embarrassment, because this is near where I grew up.

  6. This could’ve gone really bad had the owner walked out and saw some person stealing a gun from his car.

  7. This is a weird story. If he’s caught, Mr. Gun Safety probably won’t be charged with anything except rudeness. His gun safety message was absolutely correct, but his manner of delivery leaves a lot to be desired. Wouldn’t a polite conversation with the gun owner have accomplished the same thing without all the drama? Or was drama the whole point?

    • You are assuming a polite conversation with the gun owner hasn’t already happened.

      It’s possible he’s a well known negligent buffoon in his neighborhood and someone finally got tired enough of it to send him a message he would understand.

  8. I hope you realize that mr. rodgers wears that sweater to cover up his tatoos he got while he was a marine.

  9. The gun owner should lose his gun rights for such irresponsible gun storage. The thief should get a slap on the wrist if caught.

    But in FL, they’ve got it ass-backwards as usual.

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