Rapid City police, officials push personal responsibility in preventing gun thefts

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City officials are still searching for up to 20 firearms and two more suspects involved in a recent burglary, but now some people in the community are asking what else can be done to prevent more guns from ending up in the wrong hands.

Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender says there is no regulation regarding store security for merchants selling guns, leaving it up to the store owner’s discretion.

“While it may seem like a responsible and prudent thing to do, I do not feel it is up to the government to require gun stores to add additional security measures to protect their merchandise,” said Allender.

Though officers and officials agree it is the job of all residents to keep Rapid City safe.

“We just ask that citizens, businesses, the community as a whole make sure that they put firearms in a safe location, whether it’s a safe, a gun safe obviously,” said Lieutenant Andy Becker. “Or some sort of location where not easily accessible from others that think it’s an easy target and to be taken.”

Investigators are still asking the public for help in recovering the remaining firearms and identifying the other suspects. There is a $10,000 reward for any person who can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those involved, and recovery of the stolen firearms.