According to her website, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers "believes that gun owners must be responsible for the use and care of their guns." Maybe she should listen to her own advice.

An AR-15 rifle was reportedly stolen from her home last week after the family returned from a target-shooting excursion. According to the New Observer, the gun had been left next to a gun locker in the family's unlocked garage. Said Police Chief J.D. Pope, "They had been out target shooting and brought the gun back and leaned it against the gun safe… The garage door was left unsecured, according to the report.”

Not only is the event unfortunate for Ellmers and her family (not to mention their neighbors, and whoever ends up getting shot at with that AR-15). It also might undermine her political message just a little. The North Carolina congresswoman is a staunch gun advocate, according to her website:

Although she believes that gun owners must be responsible for the use and care of their guns, she does not want to see law-abiding gun owners penalized for the actions of criminals. It has become far too easy to place blame on guns, and their accessibility, rather than the criminals themselves.

Sure, but accessibility might be a good place to start.

[image via AP]