Keeping a firearm in the car when I am at work

[Quilbilly]

I have been gradually getting into concealed carrying for about a year now. It is getting to the point where I just dont feel comfy unless I am armed. So, I try to carry all the time except for when I am at work. This new job I am at is not in the best area in town and I didnt really like leaving my firearm in the car when I was in a good area. Any suggestions? I am currently parking in one of those pay to park lots.

 

[Jeff F]

Get a good steel lock box and bolt it under the seat. Thats what I did in our pickup and two cars. I don't feel comfortable leaving a loaded unsecured sidearm locked in a vehicle when I end up somewhere I can't carry.

 

[tattedupboy]

You did not mention whether or not your employer specifically prohibits carrying while you're working. If there is no specific prohibition on carrying, just keep it on you and keep it well-hidden. If you are prohibited from carrying , then just do what you have been doing. Or, you could get a vehicle mounted safe. I don't necessarily like this option, simply because if your car gets stolen, then so too does your means of protection. However, if that's what you have to do to keep your job, then by all means, do it.

 

[Treo]

I use the lockbox in my car for securing my gun. I think if you add that to a paid parking garage your gun oughta be fairly safe

 

[CraigJS]

I carry a CZ PCR. When I need to leave it in the car, I clear the weapon then remove the take down lever out of the gun and bring it with me. If ever stolden all they would get is a worthless pistol (to them), that won't work. When I get back into the car it only takes me about 20 seconds to replace the lever and load the pistol. I worry more about MY stolden gun being used in a robbery or murder, than it being lost to a thief. My guns are insured. Also secured in a locked box.

 

[woad_yurt]

Is it an expensive gun? I have a couple of beaters that wouldn't pain me too much to lose. They work but they aren't worth much. You can buy a 9X18 FEG PA 63 or a Hi-Point 9MM for cheap. If it does get stolen, you're only out $150. This doesn't address what happens to a pistol if it gets into the wrong hands but what can one do?

 

[chris in va]

I clear the weapon then remove the take down lever out of the gun and bring it with me

That's a good idea! I'll have to remember that.

This doesn't address what happens to a pistol if it gets into the wrong hands but what can one do?

One can secure their weapon as safely as possible. Last thing we need is our guns ending up on the 'streets'. There are plenty of car safes available.

 

[nwilliams]

+1 on a quality lock box.

You can buy a lock box that attaches to the car itself making it very secure and quite hard for criminals to run off with.

Just buy one of these and you should be pretty well covered.
http://www.center-of-mass.com/Store_InCarGunSafe.htm

I clear the weapon then remove the take down lever out of the gun and bring it with me

Removing parts of your gun may work as an irritant to a criminal who gets a hold of your gun but it really doesn't stop them from getting it and potentially using it again. Any fool with half a brain can buy a replacement part online and make the gun usable again.

 

[Thumper_6119]

I bought a case for a portable DVD player and put my CCW, holster, spare mags (and mag pouches), and my gun belt in it, and carry it on into the office. My employer knows that I have it, and said as long as I wasn't sporting it around the office, he liked the idea of me having it there. You can't tell it's got a firearm in it, it looks like what it is, a portable DVD case. (I do IT work, so it's not unusual to see me walking around with odd cases, backpacks, etc.). I don't like leaving mine in a car either as I park in a parking garage at work.

 

[jgorniak]

Like Thumper said. If you can smuggle it into your work area or locker in an inconspicuous fashion (and keep it secure through your work day), that might be the way to go. You still have to decide if your job is worth it, though, if this goes against policy.

 

[SuperNaut]

I use Exomesh stuff, Beretta's in particular.

 

[USMCDK]

Well here's my chime...

I am a security officer at Sig Sauer and this is a "NO FIREARMS BEYOND THIS POINT" type of facility, however being security has it's advantages!!!

Needless to say employees here cannot by any means, other than to have their SIG worked on, bring a firearm, loaded or not, into the facility. I do know that there are some that have them in their vehicles during there shift, and we have cameras watching the grounds, so the firearms are so-so safe in their respective vehicles.

I am not sure if they are allowed to do such, as it has never been brought to my attention, but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[capttom]

mag safeties

This is a situation where a gun with a magazine safety makes sense. I teach in public school and of course, guns are verboten on campus. I can tuck the magazine in my pocket, lock the pistol away, and it's less appealing to a thief. Sure, they can get a magazine, but it puts the gun out of circulation for awhile. The thieves I know - I work in a DAEC and have junior high and high school criminals (child molesters, burglars, pushers, and four murderers in the past five years) - don't hang around gun shows looking for spare magazines.

The pros and cons of magazine safeties are for another thread.

 

[sevin8nin]

I'm with woad_yurt. While my "car gun" isn't necessarily cheap, it's definitely my least favorite. I have whatever my carry gun is for the day either on me or in a bag. I don't think my employer has a problem with me carrying at work, and I do sometimes, but A lot of times it's just in my desk or in my open bag next to my desk cause I spend a lot of time sitting all day and only get two or three people in to the store a day.

I keep a PX4 9mm fully loaded with two extra mags, a blade tech IWB holster, and a tlr-1 a lock box with a combo lock, inside of a small duffle in the trunk.
If for some odd reason my carry weapon isn't on me, or near me, or my friend suddenly wishes he had brought his piece, then i've got a spare.
I guess this isn't really the same as the OP since my carry piece is always with me, but I like having a dedicated gun in the car.

 

[USMCDK]

You I think that things would be alot safer if employers would allow employees to carry at work. Hear me out... I already gave an opinion about the car thing. I remember when I was deployed to Iraq, we always carried our weapon and 180rds. not one person that I was out there F#$% with anyone else, even the people that they didn't like. WHY??? simple, are you going to tick off your fellow employee knowing/assuming that they are packing???? I think not. not only that but if something was to go wrong (i.e. rubbery/armed) you have a means of defense.

I mean come on how many of those "Caught on tape" cop shows have we seen where the store owner has a firearm behind the counter and thwarts the assailant???? Many.

Okay I am done ranting I believe so back to the OP sorry guys.