According to the RCMP gun thefts have increased 66 per cent in the last three years.

High River Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander says most of the weapons are taken during break-ins by criminals who are not professionals.

"They're not typically well planned out, they're in, they're out but I will tell you, if you have guns laying around the house that'll be the first thing they grab," he says. "On that basis alone, if you've got them locked in a safe that's the best thing you can do to secure your firearms. Not only will that keep your family safe but if your place does get broken into it'll be a lot more work for them to steal them."

He says most break-in's are done by people with substance abuse issues who just want to get in and out quickly and sell whatever they steal so they can buy their drug of choice, and guns are easy to turn into quick cash.

Alexander says rural properties have been targeted a lot lately and while he knows farmers and ranchers like to have guns handy to deal with predators, it's still a good idea to lock them up.

He says they don't ever like to charge the victim when a weapon is stolen, but it's important to remember those guns can end up in the hands of criminals and could be used in other more serious crimes.