As Thefts of Guns From Cars Surge, Police Urge Residents to Leave Their Weapons at Home

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Glenn
FAS1 SAFE

We're currently on a road trip and that's the only time I carry a second J frame. When we stop to eat, or any other time when I'll be away from the car, I'll take the b/u J with me. I'm not telling anyone what to do or judging, but I don't leave a gun in my car. About 10 years into my LE career this was specifically proscribed in our operational regulations. I've been retired 20 years but this was drilled into my head successfully enough that I still abide by it.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I was never trained or have any experience in working property crimes such as burglary. Several years ago, however, I took a detour from my normal duties to track down some equipment, including a pistol stolen from a fellow LEO's vehicle. I was successful in recovering the gun before it was used for anything bad. There have been other burglaries where take-home vehicles were targeted, including marked patrol vehicles. Thieves are pretty bold, and in light of that, what is so inconvenient about taking ones junk into the house overnight.

While there are concerns that a thief with enough time might be able to break into a gun box, it might at least slow them down a bit. It also makes sense to take precautions park in areas least likely for someone to target a vehicle - same as an unarmed person might. It the gun is at least locked up, the victim could at least show he/she made an honest effort to secure the weapon when faced with having to leave it behind because the sheep crossing signs in the building were backed up by force of law and the gun owner was also a law abiding citizen.


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Hello Forum;

Just my simple $0.02 worth chiming in, but I have a "safe" at home (actually a danged expensive RSC as I see them referred to in above posts), and I have to put my EDC into locked center console every day due to Company Policy (I know....all about State, Local and Federal Laws but I am not willing (and neither any of my colleagues with EDC) to lose the job over a "Corporate Policy" argument.

Why the safe at home? ....honestly it is NOT for anti-theft. It is there strictly because of my children (now all grown up and gone) and now the 10 grandchildren. I have always believed in decent training from a young age. Yes...the old 4 gun wooden racks are gone from the den, the glass faced lockable (cheap lock) beautiful long gun and pistol cabinet is also long gone.
The gun rack from my really old Ford P/U is by now probably part of the same landfill that the P/U is after mashing down.

Let's face it.....modern times require more "secure" than my dad's and my grandfather's days when we kids were taught respect for firearms. I would love to again be able to proudly display my handguns and long guns as my kids and their kids always want to discuss and touchy feely whenever we get together, but alas....all guns reside in dark caves made of steel, and ammo resides in separate dark steel boxes also lockable.

I guess my wife said it best....we have been married 51 years and we had three children before cars even came with seat belts, and three more before something called "car seats" came out,, along with some state laws requiring their usage in vehicles.

Absolutely amazing that me and my friends were not ever looked twice at when walking down the main street of that small farm town in 1962 carrying Ithaca pumps, double SxS, revolvers, etc. because that was everybody doing the same thing.

Also amazing that none of my kids were ever injured due to lack of restraints in vehicles, but again..........a sign of the times and times change.

I just passed on a local guy wanting to sell a beautiful, hand made by a real wood craftsman, long gun cabinet with sturdy locks, beveled and etched glass panels, because again.......out of sight = out of mind around our hacienda these days.

Just one guy's opinion, and I do agree that bad people are going to find their weapon of choice somewhere so I hope they don't see anything they like with my stuff, wherever it is "secured".

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

When my children were actual children I taught them to look both ways before crossing the street (even if it was a one way street). To make sure cars had stopped before proceeding (even in crosswalks, or at controlled intersections). Why? Why not just tell them look left, if a car runs you over from the right, well he was in violation of City Ordinance 53.27(a)7.

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Certified Curmudgeon

Respect,
It seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. People don't seem to want to do any of the work required to teach respect. Respect for people (including themselves) or people's possessions. Inanimate objects are blamed for peoples lack of respect. Funny thing, it isn't working. Ban guns, crime rates go up. Get better helmets, get more head injuries. Hey, lets ban Lawn Darts, Big Gulps and Trans-Fat!!!!

Cure Obesity, ban forks.

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Certified Curmudgeon

It was also a condition of my Massachusetts carry permit not to leave a weapon in a vehicle, while IL includes language permitting me to secure my gun in the vehicle prior to entering facilities where carry is banned. As my work takes me to courthouses and various federal facilities almost daily, the question is always "Do I carry and secure for those stops, or not?". When the stop is brief, I secure, when it is not...

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I need ammo, not a ride.