Assault Rifle Stolen From Congresswoman's Home

Weapon was unsecured in pro-gun lawmaker's garage
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 23, 2013 12:46 AM CDT
Updated Oct 23, 2013 2:40 AM CDT
Assault Rifle Stolen From Congresswoman's Home
Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-NC, stands behind a prop of 'Magic 8 Balls' during a news conference held by Republican freshmen on Capitol Hill in October, 2011.   (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

Pro-gun lawmaker Rep. Renee Ellmers might need to introduce some tough new gun control measures in her own home: An AR-15 rifle was stolen from the congresswoman's home last week after it was left leaning against a gun locker in an unlocked garage, the Raleigh News & Observer reports. The North Carolina Republican was away in Washington, DC, at the time, and police say the weapon belonged to her college-age son, who had left it there after going target shooting with his father.

The gun locker and a GPS unit were also stolen, police say. Under state gun-storage laws, charges could be filed if it turns out the gun was stolen by a minor. Ellmers—whose website says she "believes that gun owners must be responsible for the use and care of their guns"—is upset by the theft and the fact that the gun was left unsecured, a spokesman says. "Her family is very big on gun safety and she wants to get to the bottom of this herself," he tells ABC11. (More AR-15 rifle stories.)

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