Leaving Gun in Car

Maybe get her one of those vehicle safes that have a cable to attach to the vehicle, and tell her to leave it in there? I think she should try to get a bit more comfortable with carrying it though. It doesn't do her any good to sit out in her car, and it could easily be stolen. I think the safe is a band-aid for the issue, but how to get her to carry I have no idea. I got my wife a permit and numerous pistols trying to find one she would carry regularly, and she still leaves it in the safe on the nightstand. That's been an on going battle for me too lol

Break into her car.

Happy wife, happy life.

Don’t press the issue.

Gently encourage her to carry it or leave it at home.

I leave guns in vehicles, but not in the open. They’re tools and targets of opportunity for thieves. The fact they’re guns makes them no more or less anything than any other costly tool, unless your state has safe storage laws.

Sounds like she doesn't grasp the responsibility yet of carrying a firearm, and since you've said something about it a few times, it'll take a busted window and stolen gun for it to sink in. I'd end up saying I was going to take it back if it happened again, but I'm not known to be the most compassionate...

There's really nothing you can do. You told her, she decided to ignore your advice and that's the end of it.

That said, I've read enough threads like this to know where this one is going so here's my two cents.

I believe that responsible gun owners secure their firearms when not in use. I believe I have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to keep my gun out of the wrong hands.

If a criminal steals my gun he alone is responsible for his theft but I'm the one that's out a gun. So securing my handguns is in my best interests

In Ca it’s now a misdemeanor for anyone (LEO included) to leave a gun unsecured in a vehicle. You have to have it locked in one of the vehicle safes.

I bought some Bulldog vaults for my vehicles. It complies with the law and is better than leaving it loose when I’m not in the car/truck/suv.

We all are glad you have a wife that appreciates firearms and carries one. Now we wish you good luck getting her to be a little bit more aware about her responsibilities when ccw!

Stay safe.

Remove the gun.

Sorry, but this is the responsibility of the person who owns the firearm.....100% of the time.

Eventually, in the best scenario, the firearm will be stolen. Second scenario, vehicle and gun stolen. Worst scenario, vehicle, firearm, and the human..........not going to finish the end result.

Bad people check vehicles ALL OF THE TIME!!!

Styx said:

How would you all deal with a stubborn significant other leaving a firearm you gifted them in their car? I ask because my wife just got her carry permit not to long ago. She really wanted a Shield, so I gave her mine. The problem is that she refuses to carry it, but instead leaves it out in the open in the cup holder on the diver side door while she's not in the car. It would be visible to anyone who looked into the window from the passager side. I've already said something on a few occasions, but she still continues to do it. We met at the mall in two separate cars today to see 3 hour movie, and when I walked her back to her car, there it was again.

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

You and her go to the local GS, and you buy her one. Only thing, have her fill out the paper work so it is reestered in her name. if it get stolen, it is on her. Say no more.

Id remove the gun without her knowledge and sell it. At least that way a criminal won't get a hold of it. Cause its only a matter of time before your paying for a broken window and a new gun.

Sovblocgunfan said:

Break into her car.

Click to expand...

Unagi

Wait till she not looking and go get it.

tarosean said:

Id remove the gun without her knowledge and sell it.

Click to expand...

skeeterfogger said:

Wait till she not looking and go get it.

Click to expand...

Well yeah, because stealing your wife's gun would work out so well.

Leaving a gun in plain site inside a parked vehicles is "stupid." No other way to explain it. Will it bother her if someone breaks the window, steals the gun, and then kills someone?

Well my first thought is to take the gun out of the car, sell it and tell the wife it was stolen. But...maybe first find out why she insists on leaving it there. Does she want it readily accessible while driving? If so, there's better solutions for that. Why does she not want to carry it? Uncomfortable? Afraid of printing? Unsure of herself? There's solutions to all of those that dont include leaving an unsecured weapon in plain sight. The shield is a fantastic carry weapon, but may be too large for her to carry comfortably...heck, it's too large for me to consistantly carry comfortably. Maybe she just doesn't want to carry concealed, she may want to want to carry, but is not there yet. I suppose the first step if to find out why she is doing it. Find the actual root cause without being judgemental or trying to convince her of anything. If the answer is she just keeps forgetting to put it in a secure location, and/or thinks its not that big of a deal to leave it in the door cupholder...then, yeah, take it out of the car, sell it, tell her it was stolen, tell her you took it, whatever...but the current situation is untenable

Styx, male advice for female dealings is not recommended -.you need to listen to females for direction in a matter of this nature.
I get the best female advice from my wife and I have found that I have to really listen. You two are a team and she will listen to you if you present your case as a matter of caring.
Leave your testosterone out in the woods for a time and simply talk to the woman - and don’t forget to listen.
(The opinions of Dr. Steve do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this forum and Dr. Steve is solely responsible for this content.)

bersaguy said:

Well my first thought is to take the gun out of the car, sell it and tell the wife it was stolen.

Click to expand...

And what does he do when she insists on calling the police and reporting it stolen?

I would just be happy she has her CWP, likes her S&W Shield and make sure you take her shooting every couple months.

It doesn’t sound like she is taking the entire thing seroiously at this time so I wouldn’t encourage it. Plenty of people live there entire lives never touching a firearm and do just fine.

Dan

Tell you you'll leave $250 cash in your cupholder and see who gets their car broken into first.

Or, show her statistics on how many guns are stolen from cars in your area, it's shocking how often it happens.

It sounds like she doesn't really want to carry and would be happier with pepper spray, airhorn or other non-firearms option. Gun being registered in your name puts you in quite the bind. Either get the gun transferred to her or get the gun away from her. I'm not married, not sure what the best of way of doing that is.

If she leaves it in the car overnight parked in your driveway. Explain to her that someone could break into her car and use it on her family. She will be legally responsible for what ever happens and you too if you bought it and the gun is in your name. If that doesn't convince her to quit leaving it in the car. Then she shouldn't have a gun. IMO.

Styx said:

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

Marriage Counseling

OP, is she violating any laws in your state by not securing it? If yes, maybe a tactful way of handling this is by pointing that out and buying a safe for the car. That way it's the state that's forcing her to make that change, not you. The gun's now secure and she's not upset with you (I hope).

I'd grab it and hide it until she asks you whether she should report it stolen, then have a calm, logical discussion on firearms retention, both on and off body.