Leaving Guns In the Car

[MikeIsaj]

Help me out here. I have always considered it unwise to leave firearms in an unattended vehicle. I don't consider the locks on a car to be adequate security. It may be a matter of location, I live in the suburbs in the northeast and have had two vehicles stolen, one from my driveway. The only thing worse than someone getting my car is if I also provide a loaded gun.

As I read in this forum though, it seems to be a common practice. I have a lot of respect for the common sense of most here and don't understand the casual aproach to weapons security.

Am I missing something? I'm not judging, just trying to understand the logic.

 

[hps1]

The only thing worse than someone getting my car is if I also provide a loaded gun.

I am uncomfortable leaving firearms in an unattended vehicle as well. Have never had a vehicle or a firearm stolen, but the potential is definately there.

I fail to see the wisdom of CHL laws that require a license holder to leave (an often loaded) handgun in a vehicle to enter certain premises. IMHO, my handgun is much less of a threat when I am in control of it than when I am forced, by law, to leave it in my vehicle.

In order to provide a certain amount of added security when forced to do so, I bolted a small pistol safe to the floorboard of my pickup and fabricated a small "console" that slips over the strong box to hide it from passers-by. Figure this will be just one more layer of protection against stolen weapon and/or liability should someone steal and mis-use the weapon. Unfortunately, my current truck has a large console and there is no place to fasten the strong box in the cab.

A police officer buddy of mine uses a bicycle cable type lock to secure his handgun to the framework under his vehcile seat when he must leave it in the vehicle.

Any other ideas out there?

Regards,
hps

 

[armorplate]

weapon left in unattended vehicle:

I agree. The location will determine whether or not to leave it in the vehicle.
When in doubt, carry it.
Jerry, from Dallas. 32nd. most liberal city in America. I want to move to Plano.

 

[Jim101]

I just got one of these in the mail, looks like it will do the job for the car and when we fly on vacation....

Jim

 

[WT]

I don't think its a casual decision. Circumstances frequently dictate the situation.

I know many who stash their piece in the trunk or under a floormat when they leave the car to go play softball, swimming, etc. Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Ummm, not to be snippy but,

Not everyone lives in L.A,.N.Y, or other metropolis where auto-theft is on the top ten list of crimes they could face. I am more likely to be hit by a car, than have my car and/or guns stolen. Also if you don't have a car that screams steal me(like a ford focus, neon ,etd), then why should you worry about something that has less than realistic chance of happening :confused? I mean if cars in your area get stolen day-in and day-out, it might be wise to either get a new car(less ostentatcious(sp? it's early), move to a new area(granted a hard option), or MAYBE SECURE THE FIREARM BETTER

 

[BlackCat]

Common sense things...

Don't leave your shotgun in an unlocked vehicle when you go pay for your gas or go to the bank. You don't want that used in a robbery.

Don't leave a gun in an unlocked car outside your sister-in-law's house who's husband is too big of a sally to protect his family. You don't want that used against them/you.

I'm not very concerned in this area as long as it's out of sight and the doors are locked. My guns aren't supposed to be loaded when in a vehicle anyway as my gov't hasn't granted me that priveledge yet.

 

[GRB]

Not everyone lives in L.A,.N.Y, or other metropolis where auto-theft is on the top ten list of crimes they could face. I am more likely to be hit by a car, than have my car and/or guns stolen. Also if you don't have a car that screams steal me(like a ford focus, neon ,etd), then why should you worry about something that has less than realistic chance of happening :confused? I mean if cars in your area get stolen day-in and day-out, it might be wise to either get a new car(less ostentatcious(sp? it's early), move to a new area(granted a hard option), or MAYBE SECURE THE FIREARM BETTER

Are you kidding? You suggest someone move or buy a new car! The smart thing to do is not to leave a gun in an unattended car if you do not absolutely have to do so, then if you do, make sure the car is secured more than most and make sure the gun is secured well inside the car. The fact of the matter is that leaving a gun in an unattended car is not usually a wise decision and it does not matter if you live in NYC, LA, CHI, or another big city or, even if you live in a small one horse town like Shell Creek, Wyoming. You ask why would you worry about something that has less than a realistic chance of happening. Again I ask, are you kidding? If you ownwed a friggin Plymouth K car, that looked like absolute trash, and left a gun in it on Main Street of Mayberry RFD do you really think that it is unrealistic to worry about the security of that gun. Crimes such as auto theft take place in every part of this country on a frequent basis. It is not uncommon, it happens quite often, even in rural areas. The fact is that an unattended car is not a very secure location for a firearm. Another fact is, that if you are in a state wherein businesses can make you take off the gun before you enter, then it is an invitation to an opportunist type thief to steal your car when he or she sees you stash a gun in it. You just seem to be obscuring the topic by trying to insinuate that such crimes onlyn regualry take place in big cities. I have spent enough time living in small towns to know that car theft is one of the top crimes all over this country.

By the way, what would it matter whether or not auto theft is one of the top ten crimes in your area if you leave a gun in an unattended vehicle. Do you think it makes it so much wiser an act because the crime is a bit less likely? In my mind, it is still somewhat foolish, just less foolish - unless you have no other reasonable option.

Best regards,
Glenn B

 

[iiibdsiil]

My opinion is this, if you leave the gun in the car, and it gets stolen, you did your part when you locked your doors. Tough loss, don't leave something that means a lot to you in your car, leave one of your cheaper/less sentimental guns. Chances are, you aren't putting it in the hands of someone that otherwise would have gotten ahold of one.

 

[newfalguy101]

I used to carry a handgun in my LOCKED glove compartment all the time.

I live in Nebraska and I drive vehicles that really arent on any "must steal" lists.

When I purchased my current vehicle I had to stop carrying as the glovebox DOESNT have a lock on it.

I am also careful to NOT leave anything out in the open that may tempt somebody to break into my truck.

On range trips I usually put my handguns in a lockable case and slide em under the front seat, long guns go behind the seat, to look in my truck you would never know I had 6 or eight guns in there.

 

[thebaldguy]

In many states, I think it may be illegal to leave firearms in the trunk of the car unless have a carry permit and/or you are going to/from hunting or the range. I think Minnesota may be that way. Trunk guns and pistols stashed under seats are often frowned upon. I'm also worried about theft when the vehicle is left unwatched or unattended. I've had cars broken into before, but nothing of major value was taken - a pool cue and a radar detector power cord on separate occasions. That was enough to keep me from leaving anything I consider valueable in my cars.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have a rifle and at least two pistols in my truck and cars 24/7.
This time of year I'll probably only have a Kel Tec 380 in my pocket so I want to have some big guns hopefully not far away.

This works for me but may not be the best for your life style.

If I was concerned about my car being broken into I would still have a car gun but it wouldn't be a thousand dollar Kimber.

 

[Marnoot]

I've always thought of ideal "car guns" as being those with calibers not readily accessible to the criminal element. If I leave my CZ-52 in my car, and take the ammo with me, it's not a huge monetary loss to me if stolen (especially compared to the car) and it's unlikely the criminal is going to have any idea what kind of ammunition it takes. You don't hear much: "Yo yo, man. I busted a 7.62 Tok' in his ***!!" He'd probably try to load 9mm in it. Sure I'm out $100 or so, but compared to the car, that's nothing. So for me, if it's staying in the car it's cheap, secured to the car, and chambered in something less-than-common.

 

[Zach S]

The only thing worse than someone getting my car is if I also provide a loaded gun.

I look at it differently. In this theoretical situation, I didn't provide the BG with a gun, he stole it from me.

I dont do it often, but I do sometimes take my G17 in addition to the Kimber I have on me IWB, and when I take it, it normally stays in the truck.

 

[oct_97]

I carry my guns for self defense and refuse to let the possibility of them being stolen leave me defenseless. I will not trust my life to a $100.00 gun nor will I ride around with it in a locked glove box. Note that I said guns, a second generation .380 Kel Tec in my pocket and a Glock 19 in my unlocked glove box, both with Speer Gold Dot JHP. My wife has a Glock 26 with the same ammo in her glove box. Both cars are in the garage at night, locked, and the garage has an electric door opener. Both cars are also equipped with good alarm systems, neither car stands out. I'm told by my LEO friends that any one capable of opening a locked door will look for the telltale blinking LED and go elsewhere, if it's a kid doing a smash job he will most likely take off when that alarm kicks in. If the worst case happens, I agree with Zach S., I did not give them the gun, they STOLE it.

 

[Ky Larry]

I had a pistol (CZ-75BD) stolen from my car while it was parked in my driveway.Fortunately, the police recovered it before it was used to injure anyone. I don't leave any weapons in my vehicles when I'm home. When I have to leave a weapon in my car, I secure it in the trunk with a steel bicycle cable thru the trigger guard and around the trunk hinge. For my truck, I use a steel bicycle cable thru the trigger guard and aroung the front seat rail. Ammo goes with me in my pocket. If a professional thief wants your property, he'll get it. The best you can do is make him have to work so hard he'll give up and look for easier pickings.

 

[CajunBass]

I leave my gun in my car at work in a lighted, guarded parking lot. Just to be annoying to anyone who does happen to steal my gun, I put a trigger lock on the gun. Might as well make 'em work a little I figure. Then I put the gun in the glove box, and lock the box. Then I lock the car.

 

[joab]

I have 3 vehicles, everyone is locked and has at least one gun in it

My 2 1/2 ton work truck has a 1911 in a backpack behind the passenger seat.

My 81 beater truck has a PA63 in the glove box and an old Marlin .22 rifle behind the seat

My 2000 Mirage (Neon) has a Taurus 85 in the glove box and a shotgun in the trunk.

As mentioned before none of my vehicle are on the criminal must have list.
I think they would be more likely to give me a car if they saw my truck.
So I'm not unduly nervous about car theft. I'm more worried about humidity damage.

I've carried in my glove box for over 25 years without incident

 

[BlackCat]

In many states, I think it may be illegal to leave firearms in the trunk of the car unless have a carry permit and/or you are going to/from hunting or the range. I think Minnesota may be that way.

Definately not. Minnesota is still a mostly free state.

 

[TallPine]

it does not matter if you live in NYC, LA, CHI, or another big city or, even if you live in a small one horse town like Shell Creek, Wyoming.

I would guess that 90% of the residences and 50-60% (++?) of vehicles have guns in them in MT. A lot of people have a gun that bangs around under or behind the seat and isn't used for much else. Then there are the visible long guns in pickup window racks that you still see occasionally.

I don't see the difference in leaving a gun in a vehicle and leaving it at home (if you don't have a safe - which is probably most of us)

But then I drive old rusty, mud-covered stuff that no one in their right mind would want to steal
(heck, when the tanks are full, the gas is probably worth more )

 

[JohnKSa]

Wouldn't do it if there were any other reasonable alternative that didn't leave me disarmed the majority of the time...

However, if I can legally carry, I'm not going to willingly disarm myself because of a fear of what criminals MIGHT do. In fact, the more likely criminal activity is, the more I want to have a gun handy...

 

[MikeIsaj]

Too Many Choices:

Also if you don't have a car that screams steal me(like a ford focus, neon ,etd), then why should you worry about something that has less than realistic chance of happening

I don't live in LA, NYC, or anywhere else you have deamed to be the only place criminals exist. I live in the 'burbs of ucks County, Pa., and my highly desireable car that "screams steal me" was a plymouth minivan that was nine years old when it was stolen out of my driveway. I notice that you don't mention the paradise where you live.

Car theft isn't a big crime in my town, which is probably why mine was stolen. It was recovered in the city, in an area known for fencing operations. It had almost 200 miles on it after two days. Most likely it was taken from an area where it probably wouldn't be missed for awhile, and driven to another area where it wouldn't be looked for in case it was missed. After using it to do a string of burglaries it was then driven to the point where the goods were fenced and then abandoned. This is a common practice.

Some good food for thought here. I am more inclined to think it is a location thing. What is appropriate in the suburbs may be over protective in a more rural area where there are distinct advantages to having a weapon readily available in the car.

 

[roo_ster]

It Is a Tool, Not a Sacred Object

Sometimes you have to go where law or policy forbid the carrying of firearms. I'm not going to not carry a firearm with me because of that. In such cases, the firearm gets locked in the car.

I don't drive a particularly valuable car, but hte loss of hte car is much more financially significant than the loss of the firearm.

Folks, it is a tool, not a totem or some sort of spirit-creature with supernatural powers. It is an inanimate object much less dangerous than the automobile that contains it. I don't want to have it stolen and take reasonable precautions to prevent it from being stolen, just as I would my laptop PC or some other valuable item.

I think attributing such significance to an object gives the antis a foothold in their arguments.

 

[Too Many Choices!?]

Glenn Bartley,

Yes I was kidding, which is why the REAL answer was IN ALL CAPS and I ADDED THESE ....... :banghead: Sarcasm is new to you I see

Mike, now my feelings are hurt lol.... If your mini van was stolen I am sorry for you. Your response is a little confrontational though, no? I don't live in an area where this is a problem, or even an issue if you lock your vehicle.. No I don't think that L.A.,NY, and other metropolis areas are the only areas that have criminals, I am not an idiot as you seem to ass-ume/imply.My post could be construed to have a little bit of an uppity undertone, but only if you don't know me (and how broke I am) so..., I still stand by my first response.


My point is that we all have to prioritize what we believe is a viable threat to us or our property. Having my car stolen with firearms in it is not in my Top 10 concerns. Is it possible that my car/firearms could be stolen, yes, but if it happens, it will not be because I did not secure my weapon in the car, or had my car running while going to pay for gas(w/ loaded gun in glove box), or because I left a firearm in the front seat uncovered(or other bonehead thing). If my property is stolen and misused it will be BECAUSE CRIMINALS ARE CRIMINALS, not because I HELPED THEM.

PS: Having your van stolen at home is not something you can predict or really prevent(like most crime), you obviously know this first-hand, leaving a loaded gun in your car where it can be accessed and used IS something you can control...

PSS: If you are really worried about this still, take the magazine or bullets from the firearm and take THEM WITH YOU, duh. As far as I know, it is illegal to bring firearms and weapons into bars, and Federal buildings, not ammo/mags. If a criminal steals your gun, atleast he can't use it immediately, and will have to buy a mag(unless he has one ) and that gives the gun shops/pawn shops a way to have a heads up. If a cop wants to bust your chops for carrying the ammo/mag where firearms are prohibited, tell him it's for the children, and then ... Too Many Choices!?(and I just gave you another).

 

[CajunBass]

Shoot. Crooks will steal anything. Misty and I had a 1990 Geo Prizim that had over 200,000 miles on it, and showed every one of them, stolen from in front of the church a couple years ago. No guns in it, but they got a couple of my good merisham pipes.