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Virginia Beach Police Chief discusses 'disturbing' rise in children getting ahold of guns

Chief Neudigate says more and more children are accessing guns in Virginia Beach and across Hampton Roads.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — At a press conference Friday, Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate said more and more children are gaining access to guns.

He said the issue isn’t unique to Virginia Beach.

“...The amount of firearms on juveniles that we see in the City of Virginia Beach, that we see in Hampton Roads, is disturbing," the chief said.

Chief Neudigate said many of the guns are stolen from cars or homes. 

"One out of 10 of every vehicles broken into in Virginia Beach, they get a gun," Chief Neudigate said. 

Chief Neudigate said roughly 2,700 cars were broken into in Virginia Beach last year, resulting in up to 300 stolen firearms.

“Second amendment, there is a right to own firearms, but I would offer with that right should also come some responsibility, and I don’t think that’s always the case," the chief said. 

The press conference was held just one day after a 14-year-old boy died in what Virginia Beach investigators are calling an accidental shooting.

RELATED: 2 teens arrested after 14-year-old fatally shot in Virginia Beach, police say

Clay Marquez is the founder of the Norfolk anti-violence organization "Guns Down." He said he has also seen more young people get ahold of guns.

“Kids are curious," Marquez said. "They watch these videos on TV, and they hear about the violence. They don’t realize how real it is pulling that trigger.”

Marquez said this is why it’s important to properly store guns.

“Just be more conscious... of where we’re putting these firearms at, just in a safer place," Marquez said. 

RELATED: Arrests made in shooting that critically injured 8-year-old boy in Virginia Beach

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