Texas resident here. I remember a conversation with an uncle of mine who is a retired Maine State Trooper. He said that in Maine, gun theft carries the basic same felony charge as rape. He said he would investigate burglaries and everything would be missing except the guns. He saw freshly-burgled houses where the guns were literally propped up in corners or on coffee tables, completely visible, yet untouched.
I do think stealing a gun should be an upgraded felony charge equivalent to rape. Here in Texas, there are so many unsavory types. Thankfully, we don't live within an hour of Houston, because the crime there is off-putting so I avoid the place at all costs.