Two recent burglaries at gun stores in middle Georgia are part of a “dramatic” increase in such incidents statewide, according to a media report.

People wearing gloves and masks smashed into gun stores this month in Warner Robins and Monroe County, the Telegraph of Macon reported.

Though not believed to be linked, these burglaries are part of a “dramatic” rise in break-ins and guns stolen at gun stores in the state compared to last year, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives official Nero Priester said.

In 2015, Georgia recorded 33 gun-store burglaries for 429 guns stolen, Priester said. As of Friday, 41 gun-store break-ins had been recorded, in which 671 guns were stolen.

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