BATON ROUGE — Gun safety advocates say a recent string of shootings around the capital area shows the need to keep guns locked up and out of the hands of those who would misuse them; this follows months of reporting by the WBRZ Investigative Unit, looking into the threat posed by easy access to firearms.

A recent shooting in the area prompted concealed carry instructor Jody Picou to advocate for a more proactive approach to gun ownership. He travels the state to share strategies that he believes can save lives.

"I always train that a gun belongs either on your person or in a gun safe,” Picou said. "The goal is to teach as many law-abiding citizens how to protect what matters most."

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2024, at least one gun is stolen from a car every nine minutes nationwide. WBRZ’s Investigative Unit found the rate of gun thefts from cars is triple what it was a decade ago, and they traced at least two dozen different homicides in the last five years where stolen guns played a role.

"I think the misconception is that out of sight means it's secure, and that is absolutely not true," he said.

Because of that, Picou says proper storage is key, and he advocates that owners get a gun safe that fits under a car seat and locks in place.

But he says real change requires that legal gun owners be responsible and proactive to help their community.