Need a car gun

[goon]

True, you may not be held liable for the theft of your unattended gun which was subsequently used to kill someone.

But that would bother me.

Exactly. I realize that a gun could be stolen from a house or apartment too but a car's just such a vulnerable place to let one. You don't have nosy neighbors who will report suspicious people, other family members around, or a noisy dog to deter intruders in your car. I can see leaving one in your car while you have to run into the bank or courthouse or something like that but actually storing one in your car permanently is an idea that's just not safe in many areas. Time was when you could leave guns in your car around here - rifles in the window rack and a handgun under the seat - and not worry. But that was in my childhood. It's a different world now.

 

[David E]

Breaking into a house is much different than breaking into/stealing a car. My house has an alarm system that is monitored. Badguys would have very limited time to find a gun in the house before cops arrive.

My car also has an alarm system, but who pays attention to them anymore? Evenso, it takes the badguy only seconds to discover a gun kept 1/2 way accessible to the driver. They'd be long gone before anyone took notice of the alarm.

Most people understand that.

Leaving a gun in the car while at work is one thing. Leaving one in the car indefinitely is quite another.

One poster admitted he totally forgot about it! Now, how quickly could he have responded to a threat when he forgot the gun was even in there?

 

[Fred_G]

Doesn't this then contradict the perceived need for a dedicated car gun?

I don't think so. If you say I am not going to carry a gun in my car because a criminal might steal it, you are letting them take part in your choice. Why would you carry a gun on your person, it could be taken from you and used in a crime. Using your logic, why even buy a gun? It could be stolen from you, your house, or your car, and be used in a crime.

It is your car, carry what is legal if you choose to. Good point above if you do keep a gun in your car, know the laws of any other states or countries you might be driving in.

 

[dmxx9900]

I might take the Rock Island GI pistol as a car gun or the commander sized one as a combination of carry and car gun.If they still have it after I pay off the Glock 26 I have on lay away for ccw only.

My other consideration is a used Glock 19 or 23.I prefer single action trigger pulls over double action but technically the Glock is also like a double action but not as heavy and as long as one.I will go with double action/single action pistol if I find a good deal for it.

I am only going to leave the gun when I am at work in the parking lot in the car since I cant carry while at work but at least I will always have something nearby when needed when I am at work instead of it at home in a safe where there is 0% chance of me getting it in time instead of 10% which is an actual chance instead of no chance at all since its only a couple yards away vs a mile where my home is.

 

[krupparms]

Wow! I was sure this was about car guns. When did it become about the morality of carrying a car gun? This is the U.S.A.! People get to do things that others are not comfortable with, like carrying a car gun! If you feel that's a moral issue for you, then go with you're heart. But if you feel the need, then do so! I have had more guns taken from home than the car! Get something you can afford to lose. But something that works for you!

 

[Bobson]

Edit: Oh yeah, LE trade in glocks can be had for under $300.

I'd agree with going for a used Glock as the primary choice, provided you do decide a handgun is what you're after.

If you feel the need for a shotgun, I'd say a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Either are available NIB for well under $400, but if it's likely to get banged up, don't even bother getting a new one. If you prefer a rifle, I recommend an AK47 variant - maybe a used WASR, which would also be right around $400.

 

[Captains1911]

People get to do things that others are not comfortable with, like carrying a car gun! If you feel that's a moral issue for you, then go with you're heart. But if you feel the need, then do so!

The problem is it's not just a moral issue for some, but rather a safety issue for all. Don't make it easier for scum to have guns.

 

[Fred_G]

"Quote: People get to do things that others are not comfortable with, like carrying a car gun! If you feel that's a moral issue for you, then go with you're heart. But if you feel the need, then do so!

The problem is it's not just a moral issue for some, but rather a safety issue for all. Don't make it easier for scum to have guns."

So, at what point does the 2A trump safety? How far would you go to regulate 'safety'?

I keep in mind the whole criminal aspect of it. They, by definition, are not going to follow our rules. So, is it best to not exercise my rights because someone might come along and commit a crime?

I keep my sidearm on me. In the future, I do plan on a car gun. Will most likely be a shotgun, with some kind of locking device, kept in the trunk. Won't be in there 365 days out of the year, but it will spend a lot of time locked up in my trunk.

If it is locked up and attached to the car, and the car is locked, if it gets stolen, I will lose not sleep except for the fact I lost a gun. What a criminal does with stolen goods is not my responsibility.

YMMV

 

[Ledgehammer]

No need for a "car gun" if you cc. Every person I know that's left a gun in a vehicle over night on a dedicated basis has had one stolen. A car gun is pointless, especially if you have a permit to carry. That's one way felons get armed.

 

[Fred_G]

No need for a "car gun" if you cc. Every person I know that's left a gun in a vehicle over night on a dedicated basis has had one stolen. A car gun is pointless, especially if you have a permit to carry. That's one way felons get armed.

Hmm, everyone I know that has left guns in their car has not been robbed. Pointless, depends on how you wish to be armed, in the off chance you need it.

I live in the south, it is nothing to see rifles and such in the back of SUV's. Perhaps a cultural difference? Not unusual to see a box of bullets on the dashboard, and guns on the backseat. Now, that does not happen in my car unless I am en route to the range. Might just be a cultural thing.

I am not trying to get more people to toss guns into their cars unless they think it is a benefit, or a future benefit to them.

 

[JohnKSa]

No need for a "car gun" if you cc. ... . A car gun is pointless, especially if you have a permit to carry.

Only if you NEVER drive anywhere that doesn't allow legal carry at the destination point.

I know MANY folks who work where it's not legal to carry. Denying them a car gun means that they can't carry while driving to and from work.

Every person I know that's left a gun in a vehicle over night on a dedicated basis has had one stolen.

That's certainly not been the case in my area.

 

[Ledgehammer]

I live in the south also, grew up around hunting and shooting my whole life - Jacksonville Florida area. Leaving your gun in your car here is not a good idea.

I know MANY folks who work where it's not legal to carry. Denying them a car gun means that they can't carry while driving to and from work.

I can understand that, but I wouldn't leave a gun unattended over night is my point. If you can live with that on your head I can't wrap my mind around that. What good does your gun do you in your car while your in bed sleeping? With the amount of car break ins around here - it's just plain careless.

 

[JustinJ]

Sometimes when dressed in certain attire the types of weapons one can conceal is limited so having a dedicated car gun is a big plus.

Mine is a Ruger P85 LE trade in that i picked up for $200.

 

[41]

That's one way felons get armed

I don't have any stats to prove this, but here is my theory. There was also a time when the felon was not a felon, and could legally possess firearms. Not all, but I would say that probably most felons do not care about following the law. At least down South, almost everyone already owns guns, so most felons are not going to get rid of their already obtained weapons. Sure weapons are highly targeted for stealing items, but the person stealing the weapon almost certainly already has some guns, so you are not really arming felons, they already are armed.

 

[Ledgehammer]

That's kind of odd logic. So you're saying all felons in Alabama are already armed so why bother taking your gun inside at night?? Great now they can also sell your gun to their thug buddies if they were already armed.

If you can't carry for whatever reason, that's still no excuse to leave a gun in your car 24/7 unattended.

 

[41]

Not all

almost everyone

I never said that all felons had guns, I just think that most already have access to guns, so if a person wants to commit a crime, they are going to regardless if they use your stolen gun or not.

It also seems that the vast majority of burglaries, around here at least, occur when the criminal patterns the victim and breaks into their house when they are not at home. Cars are very rarely targeted, because you are normally in the general area of where your car is. Therefore I don't see how leaving a gun in your car is more irresponsible than leaving one in your house, especially if you do not have a very high quality safe.

I think that it is the criminal that is in the wrong not the gun or the gun's legitimate owner.

Like I said earlier I do not keep a gun in my car, but I think that if legal, you are well within your rights to do so.

I think we should try to get this thread back on topic.

 

[Ledgehammer]

NObody said

 

[Ledgehammer]

Nobody mentioned anything about not being within your rights or lol the criminal not being in the wrong. It's simply bad business in my eyes to leave a gun in an unattended vehicle. You're wearing rose tinted glasses if you think criminals only break into houses or cars that they case. Opportunity is all they need. You're asleep and forgot to lock your car... It happens a thief walks through the neighborhood checking door handles and now he's got your gun. Car burglaries are way more common than home burglaries. If a gun is left in a unattended car it should be in a car vault for safe keeping. It's irresponsible to not secure your weapon.

 

[BLB68]

One other thing to consider is that this is a discussion board, so it's always appropriate to discuss the pros and cons of a topic.

Discussion boards are well indexed by search engines, so someone who may be curious about any given subject could land in the thread and start reading away, using it as a research tool.

IMO, having the pros and cons of a topic laid out doesn't hurt anyone, and could be useful for those who read but don't ever post.

 

[1858remington]

So you want a "Car Gun"..... Did you take your car hunters safety course?
I didn't realize there was a car hunting season,
Yet there are web sites for people hunting for cars, so there must be.

 

[krupparms]

The OP said he wanted a car gun. I think we can all agree that it should be out of sight & locked up somehow. Wanting to impose you're values or morals on someone else is not why our Republic was created! We can only be free if we let others be free to choose. A person must be responsible yes, someone breaking into whatever is responsible for the crime not the person that own's the property! This was all settled with the constitution long ago. Now back to TOPIC! Use one of the fine guns talked about. Secure it best you can! And do what works best for you! Have fun, stay safe & please be careful!

 

[krupparms]

By The way we hunt cars all the time! Great sport! Let it roll down hill &see who can hit it the most &of course, Most creative shot &yes we use backstop & wear safty equipment.Try it sometime!

 

[dmxx9900]

I might consider a CZ82 or the hi-point idea since both are not too expensive to just leave in the car and have a good reputation of working.
My more expensive handguns in the future will be for carry or target shooting only not left in the car.

 

[velojym]

Some of the posts here sound just like what you'd find at a Brady forum... blaming the gun owner for the acts of a criminal? Sheesh! Unless you've left the thing sitting exposed to view and unattended, it's purely the fault of the thief. The whole "Steal a house" argument is asinine... it isn't the house we're discussing, and I'd like to get back to useful, non knee-jerk gun-grabber jibber-jabber.
That being said, I agree that it's best to take steps to further secure the weapon if/when you have to leave it in the car.

As for the driving away aspect, that's often not an option for some of us (cab drivers... yeah, I thought I'd take a break from trucking) and I need to get a *lot* of weak hand practice, as any potential aggressor will be in the back seat.

I haven't boiled it down to perfection yet, but I'm looking at a pepper gel or stun gun first response, a crossdraw IWB .45, and I'm looking at a .38 snub for an ankle holster. Depending on how comfortable I am with the .45, I may look into either a magnetic holster or working something into the door pocket. I don't see myself often going into places I wouldn't be allowed to carry, but I'll have a lock box in the car for at least the .45, and for excess cash.

 

[larryh1108]

A gun in the glove box, console or under the seat will be discovered.

True, you may not be held liable for the theft of your unattended gun which was subsequently used to kill someone.

But that would bother me.

By your logic, we shouldn't carry. Why don't you tell friends or coworkers that you are carrying concealed? Because it will bother them. Should we not carry lest we bother someone? Is that what it's come to?

Leaving a gun in open sight in a car is irresponsible. Having one in the armrest is a better choice. In IL, you cannot carry anywhere, ever. You can, however, transport a gun legally if it is unloaded, in a locked case. This past summer the courts decided that a console is legal for transporting handguns. If you go to Wally World on the other side of town I guess I can have my gun in a locked box under my seat so if a thug wants to rob me or car jack me I can ask him to wait a moment while I unlock my secret lockbox and retrieve my gun which, by law, I also have to insert my magazine and charge it. I'm sure he'll oblige to keep it even.

Don't foist your rights on to our rights. If you do you are no better than the anti-gun crowds who wish to disarm us so no more bad guys will get guns. We have enough of a fight to keep our rights and we don't need people from our own faction to tell us how to arm ourselves. You do it your way and we'll do it our way and as long as you don't leave it in the open then you are within your rights to have a car gun.