I've been looking for the best way to keep my handgun in my car when I can't legally carry (work, gym, bar, post office, hospital, etc...).

I've looked at quite a few portable gun safes, but they all look a little flimsy. I want something that doesn't take batteries and can't be pried open with a Swiss army knife. I'd prefer to mount it under the driver's seat in my H3.

What are you guys using?

Glove box. Out of sight...out of mind.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

No. If I leave the house with it, it stays on me.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I have a small gun safe that fits under the captain's chair in the second row of my SUV (the front seats have no room under them because of the power motors.) It is currently tethered to the chair frame with a cable, but I am going to modify the box so that I can attach it to the chair frame with a chain. The tether cable might be able to be cut with a pair of side cutters, but the chain wouldn't be, and the time and effort to cut a chain would dissuade most smash and grab thieves. This particular safe doesn't open like a typical safe; instead, it is a box that slides inside an outer box, so it is harder to pry open, and with the way I am going to modify it to use the chain, it will be even harder to get open.

I don't like to leave my gun in the console or the glove box...the locks are very flimsy, and could be pried open easily. The other day, my brother-in-law parked outside a restaurant, near the front, and while he was inside his vehicle was broken into and his gun (in his console) and his in-dash stereo were stolen...in broad daylight. I'm sure one person followed him into the restaurant and kept watch on him, while another broke into his car. There is no end to the gall of thieves today! The most we can do is delay them as much as possible, so they won't want to take the time.

I realize life does not work this way for everyone, but I never leave a gun in my car.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I used to keep a gun in my vehicles all the time. Then one day I was having a conversation with one of the local LEOs. Naturally, the talk turned to guns and quite casually he informed me that the vast majority of firearms stolen in our city were taken from vehicles.
I no longer leave guns in vehicles.

No, I do not. Yiogo

Take that to the bank. Not under any circumstances should you leave a gun in a motor vehicle.

+1
I have a safe for under the seat, but never use it.

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jj

I learned my lesson the hard way. My Chevy truck was broken into in my driveway about 4 years ago. Got my Ruger GP100 3", my GPS and a travel humidor full of good cigars.

The stogies and GPS I got over but the GP100, I am still sick over. Knowing that some dirtbag has it and may one day use it for a no good purpose really bothers me.

I never leave guns in the truck overnight.

Ok, here's my 2 cents...There are times when carrying a weapon doesn't fit into life's schedule. The gym, swimming etc. My advice is to leave it at home, secured. Never leave it in a vehicle. It's too easy to get stolen, used by those with less than good motives and even worse. Just my opinion.

Question for those saying they never leave their gun in their vehicle: suppose you are going into a facility that carry is prohibited/illegal; what do you do then?

I never leave a gun in my car overnight, even though I park inside my enclosed garage. If I am out somewhere and I cannot take it inside, like say a doctor's office/hospital which is posted (and this frequently is the case, because my wife is disabled and sees many doctors) then I can choose either to:

1) leave the gun at home
2) carry the gun inside and violate the law
3) lock the gun in the safe in my car while I am inside the premise where I can't carry it legally, and retrieve it when I come back out

I am always going to choose option 3. (And before you say you would go somewhere else that doesn't prohibit carry, that isn't always an option.)

I have said this before, and will do so again.

Unless specifically prohibited by statute, I carry everywhere. I completely ignore "no guns" signs, believing my ability to defend myself trumps anyone else's perceived rights. In Missouri, all they can do is ask you to leave.

If for some reason I have to go to a court or other building specifically named as off limits, I leave it in the safe.

My opinion on this will never change. How about you?

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

arnt there some "legal" signs that are the law?? if so which ones? i was looking to make a lock box out of 1/4" plate for under the Gf's jeep...

In the state of Missouri, there is no difference in the signs. If you are discovered carrying where someone has posted a sign, (and I don't know how they would find out, concealed being concealed) they may ask you to leave. If you don't comply, L.E. Can be called and you are then trespassing.

You need to check the laws where you live.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner

I carry everywhere I am permited to carry. If im not allowed, then I place my weapon in the glove box. Typically if I am not allowed to carry in a buiding or on a property(i.e. school grounds, etc) im not staying long. I never leave anything of value in my vehicle overnight

I have a metal lock box with a cable that attaches to the seat frame. If l find myself in a situation where l need to leave a weapon in my vehicle while attending a function, l simply lock it in the box and retrieve it when l return to the vehicle. It gives me peace of mind knowing my weapon is secure in my vehicle during my absence.

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I hope I don't stir up a lot of stuff, but...If there was a place in which I could not carry, I would not go in. I would go to that place when I'm not carrying. Life gets in the way of things from time to time and it's never convenient.
Murphy discovered a certain law that simply says something will go wrong at the worst possible moment. I think Murphy targeted me because I always get to prove he was right.

Thanks for all the information guys.
I just can't bring myself to leave my handgun in the glove-box or console. I've had my vehicle broken into twice in the last few years.

Where I live there is a zero tolerance for drinking and carrying. It would also be nice to go out and have a beer with dinner and not worry about dropping my gun off at home first.

I think I might just buy a nightstand safe and bolt it right to the floorboard. I don't trust those security cables...

I wish that was an option for me! Unfortunately that would mean not going to work, not visiting family in the hospital, not picking kids up from school, and not going to church. The gym would be pretty tough too... But you're right, when I need it the most my handgun will probably be locked in a box...

Its a shame really about jerks breaking in vehicles. Here in lousiana everytime you hear about vehicle breakins it almost always involves a firearm. For that one reason alone I will not leave a firearm alone and unattended in a vehicle. Frank

Same here, I recently had to visit a relative in St. Michael's Hospital where they have a legal 30.06 enforceable sign. So I have insurance to cover it, if my car is broken into. Same when I go to the post office, I have to leave it in the vehicle while I pck up mail (not in a post office parkng place), and can't even have it at all on federal prpperty like the VA. My work is taking care o my daughter so no problem. I never leave a weapon in my vehicles overnight.

When I get out of my vehicle I always set the alarm system and never leave it unlocked.

I'm sorry, but these two statements seem to contradict one another.

In any case, there are some places where there is no other option...like when I have to take my wife to her doctor's appointments. The best I can do in those circumstances is to lock my gun in my safe in the car. It's a better choice to me, than to leave the gun at home and not carry at all.

In Ohio the "No Guns" signs are backed by the force of law.

As a law-abiding citizen I cannot carry in those places.

So on those rare occasions, the gun stays in the car - in the trunk.

Which doesn't make a ton of sense because if the car is stolen, in all likelihood they will take the trunk as well.

I have the Tuffy under seat storage drawer in My Jeep Wrangler it bolts under the Driver's seat has a pick resistant lock and I also have the Tuffy glove box,Needed a safe place to store stuff in My Jeep as soft top Jeeps are not very secure,Google Tuffy Security Products.

I don't leave the car outside at night or unlock when parking but also don't carry where prohibited. I do fight the no guns signs when I feel they are wrong, currently discussing this with the American Legion.
I purchased a Bulldog portable vault off of Amazon. It wouldn't stop a determined thief but maybe the lazy ones. I got it because sometimes the Grandkids show up and I needed something to keep the gun in at home as well. The safe comes with a cable and might be worth looking at for your purpose. Their website is Bulldogscases and I called the office with a question. The lady was so nice, loved that southern accent, I had to buy the safe just to keep her working. Just my opinion.

I rather not take the chance.

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Aim small miss small

Likewise. It never stays there very long, usually long enough to eat lunch or dinner. That's mostly unnecessary now that Ohio has restaurant carry.

When I don't carry now, it's because I can't carry AT ALL, since I work... and park in posted facilities.

I'd have to quit my job.

It's a lousy job, but in this economy the only one I'm likely to see for the foreseeable future.

Yes.
Sometimes you really can't have it on you in certain places.

Same thing in Colorado...if your caught carrying you just leave. However, if you are carrying concealed properly no one will know. I have a GunVault lock box under me truck seat, chained to the frame...I only use it on very rare occasions when I'm unable to carry (i.e. federal building, school, etc.), otherwise it is on me at all times.

Thanks Gmiller. I almost ordered the Tuffy concealed carry tote, but finally decided on the Carry-vault handgun safe: CarryVault
It should be here Wednesday. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

Lost two(2) 66 3". First in TN from Baptist East Employee Parking lot where my wife was a night shift RN and had driven my car instead of hers- probably a low gas issue in her car. I figured Hospital Security.

2nd in FL from my truck parked in a remote access Gulf bay launch area while evening duck hunting.

A truck or car gun are just other words for "stolen gun". I could have removed my gun when my wife drove my car..and could have carried the other while hunting. That coulda/woulda/shoulda is as lame as it sounds.

If I am unable to carry I will leave a gun in a locked trunk of a vehicle but never again in the passenger compartment.

You guys are making me reconsider....

I leave my BG380 in the cubby of my truck 24/7. The butt sticks out and it is noticeable by looking in the window. I don't often travel in areas where there are a lot of crimes, and if I do end up in Milwaukee or Madison, or the Twin Cities, I always hide the 380 out of sight.

But I suppose any snoop could look in my truck even in a peaceful neighborhood, and the temptation of a free gun may be enough to push them into breaking in.

Now I have to figure out a better way.

I've read that if someone steals your loaded handgun and uses it to injure/kill someone, you can be held liable if you didn't make a reasonable effort to secure it.
Does anyone know what a reasonable effort is?
A locked car? A locked glovebox?

I periodically have to briefly leave a handgun in my car. I would NEVER allow it to be visible, no matter WHERE I was.

Thieves live, work and pass through EVERYWHERE. Some of the worst thieves I ever saw were Army officers at Camp Howze, Korea. I'm certainly not going to trust in the honesty of total strangers that I won't even see.

A locked car is a "reasonable effort", a locked glovebox in a locked car, even moreso. The alternative, at least in Ohio, could be a FELONY.

Not anymore. The one and only time I did, my Model 60 was stolen. I went through hell when it happened and more hell to get it back 14 years later.

If it's obvious that I'm going to be defeated by a metal detector and my badge is not going to help (which has happened only twice) I either don't go in, or if what I need to get done is important enough, there's always a court facility nearby where the sympathetic security personnel will allow me to lock it up there until I need it back.

Leaving a gun in a vehicle is an invitation to disaster.

Dave Sinko

Depending on where you can mount it. I have seen them bolted on the end in a trunk or on it's side to the floor under a seat. Not designed for a vehicle as it is big, but people can get pretty creative if the have the space and desire something strong.

http://fas1safe.com

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Glenn
FAS1 SAFE

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE would I ever leave a gun in a car or truck. IMHO it's just asking for trouble!

A stolen gun is a misfortune.

A felony conviction (and permanent loss of 2nd Amendment rights) for carrying where you're not supposed to is a disaster.

I have a 2009 Suburban, at the rear bottom of the console is a cup holder for the rear seat passengers, I removed the cup holder assembly and it's a nice little hidden compartment for a LC9 Ruger, .380 BG etc.
Out of sight and hopefully not some place thief would look.

man, some of these comments are funny. I dont know the physical condition of some people, and I dont try to speculate. heck, ill just keep my mouth shut. I will say this though, live your life and be happy and dont worry about everything going wrong all the time.

From reading this thread I really realize I live in a different world. I keep my tractor in a locked shed but a 30-06 is in a rack on the tractor 24-7. We have another farm about 20 miles away with a small town between where I live and that land. If I never left a gun in a vehicle I wouldn't be able to shop or eat as I am passing through town. When I am away from my vehicle I lock the doors and put the gun out of sight but it will be more trouble to get the broken window replaced than it will be to replace the gun. I am talking about long guns and real pistols and not the J frame in my pocket. Larry

When I leave the house, I bring every gun (all 34 of them) with me. You never know when some dirtbag is going to break into the house and defeat the lock on my Liberty safe. NOT taking them with me is just asking' fer it.








Ok..really, take reasonable precaution and live your life. A lockbox of some sort is more than reasonable. No sense walking around sacred of your shadow.

A buddy of mine says "If I have to go in the courthouse or public school, i leave my window part way open, and leave my pistol under the doberman."
I had to weld a u-bolt to the firewall and use a large padlock to secure the weapon to it. Practice allows me to get the pistol in place in under a minute and there just isn't room for a bolt cutter. Frankly I very seldom have to go unarmed, and my job requires I carry.

thats my philosophy as well.
the probability of getting jumped is in a parking lot while your attention is turned to entering your vehicle. getting your skull bashed in while the tool you need is oh so very close, but oh so very inaccessible would be oh so very annoying

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it just needs more voltage

You must be young yet for two reasons...

1. You can physically carry all those guns at once,

And 2. You only have 34 guns so far.

The addiction is just starting....

But seriously, I'm thinking maybe a few more guns before the election. This looks like it could go either way.....

The only time that I leave my gun in my car is when I go to my Doctors office for a visit & exam I drive a big SUV & I have places to hide it, Till I am done besides my car is right outside the Dr's office in a small private lot so my car is locked & always within my view of it etc. Other than this,I Never Ever leave my gun in my car at all.

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AA

Have to leave it in at work, but thats the only place. Otherwise if my destination is somewhere where Im not able to carry I leave it at home.

One down side about working in a factory, cannot have a gun in your pants or on your torso... but when I get an ankle holster...