Roswell will allow firefighters to store unloaded guns inside fire stations

ROSWELL, Ga. - Windows smashed and valuables were stolen. It is a scene repeating over and over again across metro Atlanta. The personal vehicles of firefighters are being broken into while they are on duty.

Roswell Fire Captain Pabel Troche said they have had multiple vehicles broken into while firefighters are sleeping or on calls. In many of the cases, guns were stolen. Firefighters are not allowed to bring firearms into the stations, so they leave them in their personal cars while on duty.

There is also the danger of those guns now ending up in the wrong hands, so Roswell city leaders are changing the rules.

“They've come up with a policy that allows firefighters to store their unloaded firearms while at the fire station,” said Capt. Troche.

The city will install lock boxes in the stations where firefighters can store their unloaded guns while on duty. The cost will be less than $3,000 for all 7 stations.

Capt. Troche said it is a change that he never thought would have to be implemented.

“We're firefighters, we're here to help. We're there when people need help so I would never have guessed we'd be in a time and place we'd be targeted for our possessions,” said Capt. Troche.