Police have major safety concerns following the recent theft of up to five guns from properties in Corstorphine and Mosgiel.
Southern district deployment manager Inspector Kelvin Lloyd said invariably, the weapons ended up in the hands of criminals and were used to commit crime.
"We're aware firearms are being circulated. Weapons are a really prized commodity within the criminal network [and] they do get used in robberies. We know that.
"We have got major concerns about these weapons being out in the community,'' Insp Lloyd said.
In Mosgiel, guns were taken from secure storage at a partially build home overnight on Monday and Tuesday.
Firearms taken from the Corstorphine property happened over the past fortnight.
Insp Lloyd said the guns taken could be anything criminals could get their hands on, including high-powered slug guns and shotguns.
It was important for licensed gun owners to keep their weapons locked in a secure cabinet with ammunition kept separate.
"Make sure that [you] have got the details on the weapons they have got in storage,'' he said.
• Dunedin police (03) 471-4800, Crimestoppers 0800 555-111.
