Goofy question: Leaving your firearm in the car

[biglos]

biglos:

No, you're not crazy for asking your question. These days, even some LEOs I know aren't supposed to carry their firearms even when in uniform - such as when dropping their kids off at school. (When I asked them about this, they told me that the school principal "asked" them not to carry their duty weapons onto the school grounds.)

I don't think much of the small, portable gun safes. I bought one and had no difficulty defeating the lock with a large screwdriver. Also, I'm not impressed with the thin, braided steel cable you're supposed to use to secure the safe to part of the car. The upside is that they're affordable and better than nothing, but that's about it.

I've made my own gun safe out of a 7.62 mm Army surplus ammo can, a high security (Master lock brand) hasp and high security Master lock, and some very heavy steel chain. I'd guess I have about $40.00 invested in this "safe". I'm waiting for a local welding shop to weld the hasp onto the ammo box, and as soon as they've done this, I'll post photos. My hope is that even the well equipped "smash and grab" thief will take one look at my creation and won't even be tempted to try to hack into it.

By the way, I'm a federal employee and management has made it very clear to all hands that anyone bringing any firearm(s) in the building will be fired. We can leave them in our cars in the parking lot, but that's it.

Good luck,

Dave

That's a great idea, the ammo can thing! I'd love to see your creation!

I truly do appreciate everyone's input, perceptions are a learning curve for me and I do love getting the input. I do agree, I do not like leaving my firearm in my vehicle at all. This one situation is when I had to go into a establishment for an hour or so and had no safe in the car. Now there's a Gunvault NV300 I bought for times like that, but I would never leave my firearm there overnight.

Thanks for your input!

 

[gdnagle]

Here's a goofy question.

If you get in a situation that you need to leave your gun in the car and you have no locking glove box or safe but you feel uneasy about leaving your gun.

Would taking removing the slide and the magazine and taking those with you, basically change the law of having a firearm in the car, since all you left was the frame?

Any opinions?? or am I crazy? (Yes I've done this and I'm buying a safe for the car)

I wouldn't go in if I felt that uneasy. I never leave home without it but if I had to go where they weren't allowed a box like recommended fits my bill. Most newer vehicles have alarms built into them nowadays, at least the ones I've owned. Heck if not buy one and install it. Remember a determined thief won't stop and no alarm or locked box with keep them from getting what they want. It may slow them down though.

biglos:

No, you're not crazy for asking your question. These days, even some LEOs I know aren't supposed to carry their firearms even when in uniform - such as when dropping their kids off at school. (When I asked them about this, they told me that the school principal "asked" them not to carry their duty weapons onto the school grounds.)

I don't think much of the small, portable gun safes. I bought one and had no difficulty defeating the lock with a large screwdriver. Also, I'm not impressed with the thin, braided steel cable you're supposed to use to secure the safe to part of the car. The upside is that they're affordable and better than nothing, but that's about it.

I've made my own gun safe out of a 7.62 mm Army surplus ammo can, a high security (Master lock brand) hasp and high security Master lock, and some very heavy steel chain. I'd guess I have about $40.00 invested in this "safe". I'm waiting for a local welding shop to weld the hasp onto the ammo box, and as soon as they've done this, I'll post photos. My hope is that even the well equipped "smash and grab" thief will take one look at my creation and won't even be tempted to try to hack into it.

By the way, I'm a federal employee and management has made it very clear to all hands that anyone bringing any firearm(s) in the building will be fired. We can leave them in our cars in the parking lot, but that's it.

Good luck,

Dave

When I was a federal employee we weren't allowed to bring any firearm or bow or ammunition, hatchet, pocket knife etc. on base. Look how well it protects military bases.

Any lock or cable can be broken, cut or just taken away. You will be considered in most states that have any kind of sense, if you use the lock boxes properly installed, doing you part to protect your firearm.

You didn't state what state you live in and I'm sure all states have different opinions. Heck I remember years ago we use to have gun racks hanging in the back window but those days are gone for good.

From a quick Google search on "guns stolen from police cars", it seems like many police officers leave firearms in their vehicles...

https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&gws_rd=ssl#hl=en&q=guns+stolen+from+police+cars

Holy ****! When the bad guys are swiping guns from the good guys what's next?!

As Troy would say - CHOOT 'EM!

Heck from another post the police in LA can't keep them attached to their MC's with Velcro.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Was watching TriggerTime TV and learned what those cable locks that come with guns are for. You use them to lock your gun to the framework under your seat.

Amen to that brother!

 

[XAVMECH]

console vault..

After reading this thread earlier in the week, I ordered one of these. It came today and is now installed in my truck. Without commenting as to the whys or wherefores of its possible uses, i can say that it is of very good craftsmanship and design. Whatever one might chose to lock inside will be much more secure than putting it in the glove box or slipping it under the seat and hoping for the best. Perfect solution? No. But definitely a step in the right direction if you need to leave something important behind in the vehicle...

 

[Protected One]

After reading this thread earlier in the week, I ordered one of these. It came today and is now installed in my truck. Without commenting as to the whys or wherefores of its possible uses, i can say that it is of very good craftsmanship and design. Whatever one might chose to lock inside will be much more secure than putting it in the glove box or slipping it under the seat and hoping for the best. Perfect solution? No. But definitely a step in the right direction if you need to leave something important behind in the vehicle...

Why not just use the glove box and lock it? Don't see much difference (other than the location)

 

[Protected One]

Here's a goofy question.

If you get in a situation that you need to leave your gun in the car and you have no locking glove box or safe but you feel uneasy about leaving your gun.

Can't recall seeing a car with a glove box that doesn't lock.

 

[crankyoldlady]

My recommendation is to never leave any firearm in your auto since there is no way to absolutely stop a thief who is after your stuff unless you catch them in the act.

This is precisely why I do not have an NRA sticker on my vehicle. It announces to the world that there MAY BE a firearm within.

 

[Alpha Sierra]

Can't recall seeing a car with a glove box that doesn't lock.

I have one (Honda).

And even if it did lock, none of them offer any resistance to a crow bar.

 

[wildenout]

I think it's better than nothing! But a safe would be a better option...Under the seat and in pieces should be enough though.

 

[TexasArmed]

I think it's better than nothing! But a safe would be a better option...Under the seat and in pieces should be enough though.

Let me see, if I am picking up my mail, my car is locked with
an alarm system. And say I make it to the car without getting
mugged walking from the post office to the vehicle on the
street. And these shifty characters are following me, and I
can't outrun them. And I quickly get inside my vehicle just as
one of them smashes my window open to carjack me.

And then I reach for that option that is not concealed on me
but is under the seat. And I grab the pieces, and attempt to
assemble them while the guy starts hitting me in the head
with the hammer. I guess I forgot to bring my hard hat.
I don't think this option of having it locked under my seat
in pieces is going to turn out that well for me if it really
hits the fan.

 

[MR.G]

The only time I leave a gun in my truck is when going into a place where concealed carry is prohibited. I keep a trigger lock in the glove box for when it is left in the vehicle.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Here's a goofy question.

If you get in a situation that you need to leave your gun in the car and you have no locking glove box or safe but you feel uneasy about leaving your gun.

Would taking removing the slide and the magazine and taking those with you, basically change the law of having a firearm in the car, since all you left was the frame?

Any opinions?? or am I crazy? (Yes I've done this and I'm buying a safe for the car)

Good Grief, Charlie Brown . . .

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have to admit I can't wrap my head around this matter. I just came back from a 3 day road trip to Oklahoma City and the only time I didn't have a gun with me was when I was at the Redhawks ball park (Triple A) because I didn't remember to look up the OK law on concealed handguns at sporting events but I assumed it was the same as Texas. So I tossed the gun into the trunk wrapped in a cloth bag along with a friend's GPS unit. But I had another gun in the glove compartment throughout the trip. So I can't understand the concept of breaking the gun down. I carry them for self defense. If I get unlucky and my car is broken into, well, so be it, I call the police, tell them about it, and that's that.

I have no idea what this even means:

Would taking removing the slide and the magazine and taking those with you, basically change the law of having a firearm in the car, since all you left was the frame?

I'll assume it's from some jurisdiction where you cannot have a gun in your car. It's totally meaningless in Texas - the police might not like the concept of leaving guns in cars but it's quite commonplace and has been for a very long time, never mind the fact that it's 100% legal these days.

***GRJ***

 

[GKC]

Interesting thread....I was planning to post one myself. I face the same problem...there are times when I can't carry my gun inside with me, although in my case it's hospitals and medical offices. My wife sees doctors and has PT frequently, and they are almost all in hospitals, which in Texas are statutory no-carry zones. So, I bought a NanoVault 200, to lock my gun in the car when we are inside. Our glove box does lock, but the glove box door isn't metal and could easily be pried open with a screwdriver...not to mention that my wife keeps it filled anyway with her cra...er, essentials.

I'm not satisfied with the cable that came with it. I know it would stop a simple smash and grab thief, but even a pair of side cutters or especially a set of bolt cutters might cut it easily. Not to mention that while the body of the vault is made of fairly heavy steel, the lock that closes it isn't all that substantial and looks like it could be pried open fairly easily.

What I did was drill a hole in the safe, at the front and through the top and bottom, so that I can lock it with a pad lock (in addition to the key lock) and use a heavy chain to secure the safe to a frame member. With enough time, a sledge hammer, and a heavy set of bolt cutters, the box could be opened, but I doubt a thief in a parking garage would spend that much time and effort. The chain can't be cut easily, the padlock secures the safe to the car, as well as prevents the safe from being pried open, and the key lock provides a bit of extra security.

I wonder why someone like NanoVault doesn't make a model that comes with a hole for a padlock, rather than a key or combination lock? Maybe I should suggest it to them.

 

[GKC]

If I get unlucky and my car is broken into, well, so be it, I call the police, tell them about it, and that's that.

I have two concerns with that approach:

1) I don't like thieves, and I hate the idea of arming one of the punks. If I can keep them from taking something, especially a gun, I'm going to try my best to do so.

2) I live on a fixed income, and even beside the issue of hating the idea of my gun being stolen, replacing it is a cost that is difficult for me to incur. Not only will it take time, but my deductible on my car insurance is $500, so it's not of much help. I spent $30 on a safe, and about $20 more on the chain and padlock I used to make mine more secure, and I feel confident (although nothing is 100%) that my gun is secure for the short and infrequent times I do have to lock it up in my car.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have two concerns with that approach:

1) I don't like thieves, and I hate the idea of arming one of the punks. If I can keep them from taking something, especially a gun, I'm going to try my best to do so.

2) I live on a fixed income, and even beside the issue of hating the idea of my gun being stolen, replacing it is a cost that is difficult for me to incur. Not only will it take time, but my deductible on my car insurance is $500, so it's not of much help. I spent $30 on a safe, and about $20 more on the chain and padlock I used to make mine more secure, and I feel confident (although nothing is 100%) that my gun is secure for the short and infrequent times I do have to lock it up in my car.

Your concerns are well founded. But for item 1, it's a matter of what works best for me for self defense. Dealing with moving the gun around is just over the top unnecessary for me. The risk of another break-in is small so for me it's a risk-benefit ratio that swings towards leaving the gun in the car. After I got home from my road trip the console gun went back into the safe; the other gun just stays with me. It would have stayed with me at the ball game if I was sure they didn't care, didn't have metal detectors, etc. Since I didn't know I tossed the weapon into the trunk.

As for number 2, I understand, but while I hate thieves and don't want to arm one, I don't have to replace any gun that is stolen, should that occur. My safe is full of replacements already - I didn't start buying guns yesterday and just because I call it a "collection" doesn't mean it's useless! The guns I leave in my car are usually ones I care least about, actually.

***GRJ***

 

[cmort666]

Bad idea. In NY (at least in some counties) they will revoke your concealed carry permit (and you will then not be able to possess your handguns) if you lose a handgun due to theft from it being unattended in a vehicle. If there is a safe in the car and car gets stolen, same thing.

So, they expect you to carry into a prohibited place?

I'm sure that would fly with a jury...

 

[NCavi8tor]

I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6!

NC

 

[GKC]

...I don't have to replace any gun that is stolen, should that occur.

Unfortunately, I do. Due to extremely high medical bills and other financial issues, I've had to sell all my guns (and other valuables, as well.) I have two guns at the moment...and losing one and not replacing it isn't a choice for me. Well, I guess I wouldn't have any other choice if I didn't have the money...I do have one other gun, but if we only have one gun, that means I can't carry one and leave a gun with my wife when I'm out and about.

Ah well...you do what you have to do.

 

[mikey98e]

I bought one of these. It seems sturdy enough and it hides under my seat quite well.

Academy - GunVault NanoVault 200 Handgun Storage Safe

In Mass you can't leave a gun in a vehicle without locking it up so we bought one of these for each vehicle.
-mike