HALIFAX -- Police say they are "very concerned" after thieves broke into an Annapolis Valley home and stole 12 firearms.

Police responded to a report of a break and enter at the home on School House Road in Aylesford, N.S., on Monday.

The homeowner told police that eight handguns and four AR-15 rifles had been stolen while he was out.

"It's really concerning for that type of firearm to go missing for us," said Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Clarke. "We don't want them to fall in the wrong hands obviously."

Police say the firearms -- which were all legally owned -- had been properly secured and were stored in a locked gun safe.

"There was nothing illegal about the homeowner who had them or the way they were stored," Clarke said. "Our concern is they could fall into the wrong hands."

The owner has posted about the theft on www.gunpost.ca, saying the guns were stolen from his home while he was attending his father's funeral. According to the post, a quantity of ammunition and magazines were also taken.

In the post, he says he is offering a reward for the safe return of his guns and for information that leads to an arrest.

The RCMP’s forensic identification technicians are assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information about the theft or the location of the firearms is asked to contact Kings District RCMP.