Guns Stored In Vehicles, Revisited

[Kanewpadle]

I don't think people realize just how difficult it is to store a gun in a vehicle.

Think about it. What's easier? Leave it under the seat? In the glove box? Trunk?

The problem is when you arrive at your destination you must remove the gun from the holster, hide it or lock it up all the while hoping that nobody sees you doing so.

Or you lock it in a secure box before you arrive at your destination and hope you dont need the gun in between.

And I believe that just as many guns have been stolen from police cars than civilian.

Instead, why aren't we concerned with people that own guns but not a gun safe at home?

 

[CoMF]

Instead, why aren't we concerned with people that own guns but not a gun safe at home?

Because actual, UL burglary-rated safes (not "residential security containers") are expensive.

Still, I suppose a RSC bolted to the wall and floor is better than nothing, but they still aren't "cheap."

 

[steelslaver]

I don't believe that those people are dead because somebody left a gun in an unlocked car. I believe they are dead because a piece of trash killed them. The piece of thrash would have gotten a gun from another piece of trash who got it by some other method. I doubt the killer was the one who stole the gun in the first place. Place the deaths responsibility where they belong on the piece of trash.

Not saying that people should be irresponsible with guns. But, leaving a gun in an unlocked car doesn't mean you are responsible for its theft or crimes committed after the fact. That is on the thief and those who commit the crime.

Around here hunting season is starting. Lots of guns in vehicles. Many of them unlocked. Extremely low theft rate. Steal around here and you go to jail. he guy who stole the gun used in these crimes probably had a rap sheet that rivals some novels and he was still walking the streets.

If I decided to go into burglary your $3000 gun safe would only be a 30 min delay at most. Would any crimes committed with those guns then be your fault? Why would you be more innocent than someone with a $300 safe? Someone who only locked the door? some one who didn't lock the door?

Just where do you draw the line on who is or isn't responsible?

Should we let the government decide?

Who gets to decide?

 

[Muss Muggins]

Because actual, UL burglary-rated safes (not "residential security containers") are expensive.

Still, I suppose a RSC bolted to the wall and floor is better than nothing, but they still aren't "cheap."

Guns are expensive. I've got one gun (actually three or four, individually) that equals the price of the largest, most expensive safe I saw at Cabela's last week . . . Any five of mine would approach that same price point. Think safes are expensive now?

 

[Ballistic147]

We have a man living in our neighborhood who is a convicted felon. He's a registered sex offender and even worse, a pedophile. This house has become an eyesore in our community. Couple years ago he was busted for trafficking Opana. Whole bunch of pills and a wad of cash on him. After a little more than a year of the case being constantly continued he was finally convicted and given a few years probation. This scumbag is once again selling drugs out of the house. While this is not related to the particular discussion in this thread it is still related.

The big reality here is that regardless of the crime, there is no real consequence for breaking the law. Drug dealers, rapists, thieves, and murderers are being turned out on the streets with no good reason to change their nasty ways. Our system has failed us, the upstanding law abiding citizen.

 

[bigwheelzip]

My husband and I have a pair of handgun safes in each of our vehicles, and his pickup has a hidden locked storage box under the back seat for long guns. Nothing impenetrable, but it is the least we could do. We don't leave guns in them habitually, just temporarily when the need arises.

 

[Mainsail]

As a military retiree I sometimes need to shop or visit a military installation; when I know I'm going there I go unarmed. Fortunately I live near enough to the base that I can return home and arm up before beginning the rest of my errands. I'm going to be carrying anywhere and everywhere else; we don't have many restricted areas here in WA. If I need to drop something at the PO I'll wait in the car while my wife runs it in. If we're going out to eat I just need to stay out of the "bar area" of the restaurant (even though the hostesses seem to default to trying to seat us there).

All that to say, there is no reason that I would ever need to leave a handgun in the car. I have even carried openly into the police station to renew my CPL. When I worked in a federal building in a downtown area I used a lock-box with a cable. I didn't like its level of security but it was better than nothing and would have made theft of my handgun a lot more time consuming. I'm glad to be out of that situation now.

 

[CoMF]

Guns are expensive. I've got one gun (actually three or four, individually) that equals the price of the largest, most expensive safe I saw at Cabela's last week . . . Any five of mine would approach that same price point. Think safes are expensive now?

Again, are we talking an actual safe or a residential security container? Keep in mind that they're not the same; Underwriters Laboratories typically rates the latter for only 5 minutes against attacks from common hand tools and drilling. A thief can break into one in even less time than that if it's not bolted to the floor.

If we're trying to make the point that if someone can't afford a safe, they're an "irresponsible" firearm owner, we're essentially saying that firearm ownership is a "rich man's" hobby.

Most big box RSCs provide little more security than a locked glove compartment. This is not an exaggeration.

The best "security system" resides between our ears. Own a firearm? DON'T ADVERTISE. Don't tell anyone you do not explicitly trust that you own them, and don't put firearm related stickers on your vehicle.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Again, are we talking an actual safe or a residential security container? Keep in mind that they're not the same; Underwriters Laboratories typically rates the latter for only 5 minutes against attacks from common hand tools and drilling. A thief can break into one in even less time than that if it's not bolted to the floor.

If we're trying to make the point that if someone can't afford a safe, they're an "irresponsible" firearm owner, we're essentially saying that firearm ownership is a "rich man's" hobby.

Most big box RSCs provide little more security than a locked glove compartment. This is not an exaggeration.

The best "security system" resides between our ears. Own a firearm? DON'T ADVERTISE. Don't tell anyone you do not explicitly trust that you own them, and don't put firearm related stickers on your vehicle.

A: I know the difference between a safe and a metal box.

B: If you don't want it stolen, secure it properly. I don't put a $500 pistol in a $5 holster either.

 

[TTSH]

Philosophically speaking, how can your gun(s) ever be totally safe & secure if stored in a vehicle when the vehicle itself can be so easily stolen?

 

[CoMF]

A: I know the difference between a safe and a metal box.

Good. Then you also know that most "safes" sold in Big Box stores are, in actuality, "metal boxes" (i.e. Residential Security Containers). I will also surmise that you know that a safe doesn't use sheet metal construction with drywall sandwiched in between it.

B: If you don't want it stolen, secure it properly. I don't put a $500 pistol in a $5 holster either.

A thief can't steal something he doesn't know or have reason to believe exists. The "Gray Man" concept applies here. Only the most determined thieves are going to go through the trouble of ransacking a random vehicle with no valuables in plain view or "flags" like gun stickers. The odds of being robbed decrease even more if that vehicle has an active security system.

If you want your sidearm to be theft-proof, why bother carrying at all? Just leave it at home in your "safe."

 

[gen3guy]

I generally do not leave a gun in the car. However, I wonder if there's correlation between theft and carry laws. I live in Arizona, and the only time I've ever had anything stolen out of a vehicle was when I left it unlocked with the windows down. It wasn't gun, it was a stereo. In Hawaii, where it is unlawful to carry a gun under any circumstances, the following sign is commonplace at public places such as parks and parking lots. "High theft area. Do not leave belongings in your vehicle." Actually, in Hawaii you can carry a gun between your home and a shooting range if it is unloaded and in the trunk of your car.

 

[Magload]

I have a center console vault in my Jeep and really like it. I fits in the console perfect and is bolted in from the inside. Don

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Glock 19 has been in the glovebox of my truck for the past 15 years... a great many vehicles in this neck of the woods have guns in em. It's just not something folks fret much about.

In Tennessee, no carry permit is required to keep a loaded handgun in the vehicle. Obviously, that means leaving the gun in the car because it's illegal to carry it without a permit.

As posted earlier, keep valuables out of sight and lock your car.

 

[Inusuit]

Just FYI, here's a link to a story on the shootings referenced by the OP. Three "drifters" have been arrested and charged.

Note that the firearm was stolen from "a lock box inside an unlocked civilian vehicle."

Alleged drifter killers charged, face possible death penalty in Marin County

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Just FYI, here's a link to a story on the shootings referenced by the OP. Three "drifters" have been arrested and charged.

Note that the firearm was stolen from "a lock box inside an unlocked civilian vehicle."

Alleged drifter killers charged, face possible death penalty in Marin County

It's always good to get the 'Paul Harvey" on these things.

 

[Stu1205]

Console Vault | Buy Direct For Lowest Price + Free Shipping

I have one of these in my vehicle. It installs in about a minute.
It is around $275.00, but it is one of the best investments I
have ever made. I feel confident that if and when I have to
leave my gun in my vehicle, it will be there when I return.

Stu

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

"... but a locked car is not much of a deterrent. '



Here is a current story. I'll quote some highlights within.

Police said last week that they had arrested five people, all current or former Kirkwood residents who admitted to more than 200 thefts from vehicles and the theft of more than 15 vehicles.

Each of the stolen vehicles had vehicle keys left in the car left by the owners, police said. All of the vehicles were recovered.

None of the vehicles were actually broken into, either, police said — the vehicles were left unlocked.


4 charged in rash of more than 200 thefts from unlocked cars in St. Louis County : News

-----------------------------------

The idea here is to reduce the likelihood of your car being targeted. You can see here that unlocked cars were attractive for thieves.

 

[FAS1]

Welcome to life in the U.S. of A. 2015.

Guys, I apologize for my last post that showed a video with inappropriate language despite my NSFW warning. It just seemed so appropriate to the discussion. I don't condone that type of language or use it myself. Post has been removed by mods.

 

[Magload]

Console Vault | Buy Direct For Lowest Price + Free Shipping

I have one of these in my vehicle. It installs in about a minute.
It is around $275.00, but it is one of the best investments I
have ever made. I feel confident that if and when I have to
leave my gun in my vehicle, it will be there when I return.

Stu

That is the one I posted above about I really like mine. You don't even know it it there till you open the console lid.