Reminder: Vehicles are Not Gun Safes

[Old Dog]

If the media or government wants us to spend $10k on a safe to store a $400 carry pistol, then the government needs to make gun safes a tax deductible item-separate from the standard deduction.

Well, one of the few decent things this liberal-run state does is not charge sales tax on gun safes. Since our sales tax is up to 10% in many cities and counties here, that at least offers a significant savings, especially when talking $1500-$4000 safes. Making them tax-deductible like energy-saving appliances, windows, solar panels, etc., and home improvements would certainly be an incentive for a lot of people to invest in decent safes, for sure. But then some of the anti politicians and legislators might see this as encouraging people to keep and bear arms...

 

[lightman]

Leaving a gun in a car has been proven to be a bad idea. But I admit that I occasionally do. But when I do its in the locked garage with the vehicle locked too. And the vehicle has an alarm that honks the horn if its not opened by using the key fob. I probably still shouldn't and its a rare event when I do.

 

[Anchorite]

Well, one of the few decent things this liberal-run state does is not charge sales tax on gun safes. Since our sales tax is up to 10% in many cities and counties here, that at least offers a significant savings, especially when talking $1500-$4000 safes. Making them tax-deductible like energy-saving appliances, windows, solar panels, etc., and home improvements would certainly be an incentive for a lot of people to invest in decent safes, for sure. But then some of the anti politicians and legislators might see this as encouraging people to keep and bear arms...

Interesting. I think one untested way to address the gun issue is taxation. Might be that antis seek to tax the usage, whereas pro2a groups move to loosen the taxation of our hobby, like in your example.

 

[dodo bird]

Sometimes you have to lock up your pistol (work, school, hospital, sporting event, etc..) Even if you don’t plan for it, life happens. This is the cheapest option and it’s better than nothing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirec...ar+gun+safe&qid=1681047916&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

 

[BJung]

The only time I have a gun in my car is when I'm driving to the shooting range or returning. I don't necessarily like safes and prefer hidden compartments in the wall, stairwell for some guns after hearing about my cousin returned home and met three thugs waiting for him, tying him up, and pistol whipping him until taking his atm card, and anything of value. With a safe, they would have demanded the combo.

 

[jmorris]

I would like to add something here regarding auto break-ins.
How many people leave handy window breaking tools out so thieves can bust out windows easily and fairly quietly?
I am talking about trailer hitches left in the mount and only held in with a pin, not a lock.

I would figure any decent thief would just steal the hitch or already have the tools he needs. I have actually seen a set of thieves walking down a street before, checking car doors to see if they are locked. Guess it makes less noise to just rob unlocked cars and pass the ones that you have to break into.

 

[Charlie98]

especially if you have gun stickers plastered all over your rear window.

We used to call those 'steal me' stickers. Gun stickers, car stereo stickers, hot rod part stickers... these days, even an NRA sticker.

I've had a pistol stolen out of my truck. When I first got my TX CHL, I was a little confused about where I couldn't carry my piece... we were going into see a movie, so I left it in the console. The smash and grab crew made a unannounced visit. They ignored the $2000 of tools I had in the back seat, and took my Kahr pistol, instead. Did you know you can break into a Ford SuperDuty with a $2 screwdriver? ...in about 5 seconds? Thanks, Ford.

My pistol was eventually recovered, down in Dallas... and after about 7 years I actually got it back, believe it or not... and no worse for the wear. I carry it, again, now... it's always been the best of my Kahr pistols.

So, the results of that adventure is... I don't leave my piece in the truck if I'm going to be away from the truck. I carry it no matter the circumstance or signage, or I don't bring it at all (in an instance like going to the courthouse or something obvious.) Yes, I have a locking console in my new (GM) truck, but everything is made of plastic these days, and I don't think it would take much to bust it open.

 

[dodo bird]

They make these for just about every vehicle. Easy to install yourself or have the dealer put one in when you buy the car. I have done it twice for my car 2 cars I have bought. Last thing I say is “we have a deal as long as you install a safe for me”. 2 different car manufacturers. Took them about 1 second to agree. It’s solid steel.
https://accessories.gmc.com/product...328&make=GMC&makeId=48&model=Canyon&year=2020

 

[sequins]

I think a hard mounted locking box of sufficient toughness that it requires significant tooling to open (powered tools) is good enough to run short term, like staying at a hotel for a weekend. I don't think you should keep your "truck gun" in your actual truck, all the time, though. That's a big mistake regardless of how hard you make the box. It's also possible your car itself might get stolen.

Realistically though, there are prohibited places and my car is basically my option in those cases. A solid box that's bolted down in the back my trunk is good enough for me. If they steal the whole car that sucks, but short of that I think it'll remain in the box long enough for me to notice them powering up a rotary saw and swapping blades on their way in.

 

[Pat Riot]

I would figure any decent thief would just steal the hitch or already have the tools he needs. I have actually seen a set of thieves walking down a street before, checking car doors to see if they are locked. Guess it makes less noise to just rob unlocked cars and pass the ones that you have to break into.

When I worked in Los Angeles, Charlotte and Portland lots of people got their windows broken and their trucks broken into with their own trailer hitches at Park & Ride parking lots. In my country town in Oregon lots of trailer hitches did vanish. Some were used to break windows.

 

[Craig_AR]

This is the cheapest option and it’s better than nothing.

Or possibly this one (I have two of them).
https://www.harborfreight.com/personal-portable-security-safe-64079.html
or
https://www.harborfreight.com/large-personal-portable-security-safe-57999.html

 

[gobsauce]

Might be that antis seek to tax the usage,

I think that's how it's done on a federal level. I've noticed a 10% federal surcharge PLUS the sales tax on ammunition.

In my county, there's a 2% sales tax plus the state's 6.25%. That essentially adds up to an 18.25% sales tax on ammunition. Haven't bought firearms recently, so can't say there.

 

[tark]

I have some old refrigerators in the Garage. Guess what's in them! It's pretty easy to convert an old refrigerator to a fairly decent gun safe.

 

[Ignition Override]

Folks, a year ago over about a 6-month or so period, literally Hundreds of cars were broken into all allong the hotel corridor near Vanderbilt University, and perhaps other downtown areas.

The primary objective seems to have been unsecured handguns. What other objects routinely left in a car could have been of any comparable value?

Again, hotel security told me that among the cars, trucks were preferred for window smashing because Men Who Own Handguns
Tend to drive Trucks (or it's the image among criminals-that's what counts). Those were their words, in Nashville..

 

[Hugger-4641]

 

[Old Dog]

View attachment 1145170

Gosh, I'll bet you think that's a really funny meme.

Yeah, no. Yet another example of our own community attempting to silence our 1st Amendment rights.

Our own (supposedly) RKBA supporters telling us that we should live in fear of having our guns stolen and not voice our public support for RKBA and the 2nd Amendment.

Yet it's perfectly all right for abortion rights supporters to sport window and bumper stickers on their vehicles voicing their support for murdering unborn fetuses, because everybody knows that conservatives don't break into other people's cars or trucks and steal stuff. Rainbow flag decal or license plate frame, BLM or Biden/Harris sticker on the car, same thing.

But we're different, because we hide our pride in our beliefs because we're so freakin' scared of petty criminals and can't figure out how to stop them from breaking into our F-150, Ram or Silverado and stealing our stuff (or even stealing the whole truck).

Some of y'all, who constantly say you're not bowing to the gods of political correctness, yeah, it's all talk.

Here's my advice for you: just get out this week and trade in your Tahoe, Yukon, or F-250 for a Prius or a Suburu Outback.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I think a hard mounted locking box of sufficient toughness that it requires significant tooling to open (powered tools) is good enough to run short term,

I should hope so, but this makes me thing of someone with a cordless cut-off wheel/grinder grinding away inside my truck int he parking lot at work. I kinda doubt anyone would notice.

Realistically though, there are prohibited places and my car is basically my option in those cases.

And herein lies the problem. I work in a federally prohibited building. Currently, I just go everywhere unarmed. I understand employers setting rules in their places of employment. (I don't like it, but I understand it.) For example, I understand that I'm not free to just say whatever I think at work; I surrender my 1st amendment rights in exchange for a job. But I don't surrender those 1st amendment rights everywhere after work; I shouldn't have to surrender my 2nd amendment rights after work just because my employer says so.

I have recently discovered that I can legally have a gun in my truck if it's 1.)in a locked box (I don't think it has to be secured even) and 2.) unloaded. So part of my tax return this year is going to be to install a console vault in my truck. And even that may be a waste of time and money as I'm most likely to be killed inside my place of work-not in my truck.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Gosh, I'll bet you think that's a really funny meme.

Yeah, no. Yet another example of our own community attempting to silence our 1st Amendment rights.

Our own (supposedly) RKBA supporters telling us that we should live in fear of having our guns stolen and not voice our public support for RKBA and the 2nd Amendment.

Yet it's perfectly all right for abortion rights supporters to sport window and bumper stickers on their vehicles voicing their support for murdering unborn fetuses, because everybody knows that conservatives don't break into other people's cars or trucks and steal stuff. Rainbow flag decal or license plate frame, BLM or Biden/Harris sticker on the car, same thing.

But we're different, because we hide our pride in our beliefs because we're so freakin' scared of petty criminals and can't figure out how to stop them from breaking into our F-150, Ram or Silverado and stealing our stuff (or even stealing the whole truck).

Some of y'all, who constantly say you're not bowing to the gods of political correctness, yeah, it's all talk.

Here's my advice for you: just get out this week and trade in your Tahoe, Yukon, or F-250 for a Prius or a Suburu Outback.

I think it's a funny meme. Your assessment of the situation is spot on. We are voluntarily censoring ourselves-no doubt about it. Just because we have a first amendment right to to write "steal my gun from me" on our trucks doesn't mean we should. In my view it's like saying "I have a right to carry my AR15 into a movie theater to watch a movie." Doesn't mean it's wise to do so.

I used to have political and gun stickers on my vehicle. I had them on my tool box at work. What did it get me? Truck vandalized at work by my coworkers. Coworkers superglued the key slot on the locks on my tool box; I had to drill the locks out to get to my tools. I told the shop manager and his response was (I quote here because I'll never forget what he said) "Yeah I saw the stickers on your car. You got what you deserve."

I'll leave a little food for thought: What impact do stickers on a vehicle have on anyone or anything? (Especially what positive impact do they have?) The people who vandalized my vehicle did not change their minds about the issues relevant to the stickers. Vandalizing my car did not change my mind, either, but it did cost me a bunch of money. It didn't cost them anything. It only cost me. So yeah, I learned my lesson.

When I see political signs I don't agree with, you know what runs through my mind? "See ya at the polls." Because that's where the real change happens.

 

[Old Dog]

In my view it's like saying "I have a right to carry my AR15 into a movie theater to watch a movie." Doesn't mean it's wise to do so.

Seriously? A decal on the window akin to carrying an AR into a movie theater? You're drinking the Kool-Aid too, brother.

I'll leave a little food for thought: What impact do stickers on a vehicle have on anyone or anything? (Especially what positive impact do they have?) The people who vandalized my vehicle did not change their minds about the issues relevant to the stickers. Vandalizing my car did not change my mind, either, but it did cost me a bunch of money. It didn't cost them anything. It only cost me. So yeah, I learned my lesson.

Think about this a bit. Why is it that a truck with an NRA decal gets keyed in a parking lot in a liberal city, yet a hybrid with a Biden decal in the same lot escapes vandalism? Even were the hybrid parked in a gunshop parking lot in a rural Tennessee town, it'd likely go untouched. Yeah, you learned your lesson. Keep your head down and your political affiliation and/or feelings on gun rights secret. This is so ironic -- we're staying in the closet now, voluntarily, much like the LGBT community for most of the 20th century. At least they finally came around and learned that tactic didn't work, they needed to get in peoples' faces. And they faced a lot more virulent. overt and physical intimidation than the RKBA community ever has.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Gosh, I'll bet you think that's a really funny meme.

Yeah, no. Yet another example of our own community attempting to silence our 1st Amendment rights.

Our own (supposedly) RKBA supporters telling us that we should live in fear of having our guns stolen and not voice our public support for RKBA and the 2nd Amendment.

Yet it's perfectly all right for abortion rights supporters to sport window and bumper stickers on their vehicles voicing their support for murdering unborn fetuses, because everybody knows that conservatives don't break into other people's cars or trucks and steal stuff. Rainbow flag decal or license plate frame, BLM or Biden/Harris sticker on the car, same thing.

But we're different, because we hide our pride in our beliefs because we're so freakin' scared of petty criminals and can't figure out how to stop them from breaking into our F-150, Ram or Silverado and stealing our stuff (or even stealing the whole truck).

Some of y'all, who constantly say you're not bowing to the gods of political correctness, yeah, it's all talk.

Here's my advice for you: just get out this week and trade in your Tahoe, Yukon, or F-250 for a Prius or a Suburu Outback.

Triggered much?
I am fully in support of 2A and 1A, but also common sense. You put that sticker on your vehicle, you might as well just leave it unlocked so they can steal the gun you left in the console without breaking your window.

 

[Old Dog]

Triggered much?

Nope, and I don't acknowledge use of the woke vocabulary, either.

You put that sticker on your vehicle, you might as well just leave it unlocked so they can steal the gun you left in the console without breaking your window.

You're probably right; anyone stupid enough to put an Molon Labe decal on one's truck is probably stupid enough to leave an unsecured firearm in one's truck.

Seriously, that's some specious logic.

Not to worry, though, because everyone on this forum is a stealth gun-owner, none of us advertise the fact that we own or even like firearms, and everyone in these threads has already confirmed that they don't leave unsecured firearms in their motor vehicles. Heck, the legislators in my state don't think any of their constituents own firearms or support the RKBA, judging from recent house and senate votes for our new AWB and another gun bill. We show up in small numbers to our state house hearings on gun bills while the antis get bussed in by the hundreds and have lots of big signs. We are really good at hiding our hobby, it's just too bad the criminals are smarter than us and have figured out that if someone drives a big pick-up truck, he sometimes leaves his firearms inside it while parked in public places.

Perhaps some should be far more wary of the federal government, which has advised law enforcement that a "Molon Labe" decal (and also display of a Gadsden flag) or other firearm-related displays, along with status as a veteran, is an indication that one might be a potential MVE -- "militant violent extremist."

I'll leave a little food for thought: What impact do stickers on a vehicle have on anyone or anything? (Especially what positive impact do they have?)

Probably a good thing that those who support abortion rights and the civil rights of LGBT people never adopted our tactics. I just drove through a Tacoma neighborhood the other day, it seemed every other house had a rainbow flag flying out front. Strangely, no signs of vandalism or forced entry, just some neatly manicured yards and houses in good repair. And as I got caught up in the JBLM traffic leaving the base, sure looked as though at least two-thirds of the trucks and SUVs going through the Ft. Lewis main gate had at least one or more NRA, SIG, GLOCK, PSA, MagPul, BCM and other decals on their back windows. So there's that.

For the record,I have no decals or stickers on any of my cars (well, actually, the wife has a little dog-related decal on her back window, but not too many people break into cars to steal German Shepherds) nor do I ever leave an unsecured firearm in a vehicle, even if the vehicle is parked in my attached garage. Although I am aware that the wife's hugely expensive British SUV is a prime target for car thieves. And I should probably move out of my nice home that I worked all my life to get, as nice homes in good neighborhoods are commonly targeted by burglars and home invaders.

In any event, I will not call out those who do have a window decal or bumper sticker on their vehicles as being stupid, lacking in common sense or providing an invitation for a thief to break into their vehicle. And I won't participate in victim-shaming either, as I tend to blame the criminal for the criminal act.

Hey, is this one too obvious?

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

You loose your cool, get triggered and chastise all of us for not owning our gun ownership by not plastering stickers all over our vehicles and then admit you don’t do it. I don’t feel the need to advertise my sexual choices, child’s school, religion, political views or anything else on my vehicle. It has no relation to how vigorously I provide support for my beliefs or perform in the bedroom. Stop being a hypocrite.

Nope, and I don't acknowledge use of the woke vocabulary, either.

You're probably right; anyone stupid enough to put an Molon Labe decal on one's truck is probably stupid enough to leave an unsecured firearm in one's truck.

Seriously, that's some specious logic.

Not to worry, though, because everyone on this forum is a stealth gun-owner, none of us advertise the fact that we own or even like firearms, and everyone in these threads has already confirmed that they don't leave unsecured firearms in their motor vehicles. Heck, the legislators in my state don't think any of their constituents own firearms or support the RKBA, judging from recent house and senate votes for our new AWB and another gun bill. We show up in small numbers to our state house hearings on gun bills while the antis get bussed in by the hundreds and have lots of big signs. We are really good at hiding our hobby, it's just too bad the criminals are smarter than us and have figured out that if someone drives a big pick-up truck, he sometimes leaves his firearms inside it while parked in public places.

Perhaps some should be far more wary of the federal government, which has advised law enforcement that a "Molon Labe" decal (and also display of a Gadsden flag) or other firearm-related displays, along with status as a veteran, is an indication that one might be a potential MVE -- "militant violent extremist."


Probably a good thing that those who support abortion rights and the civil rights of LGBT people never adopted our tactics. I just drove through a Tacoma neighborhood the other day, it seemed every other house had a rainbow flag flying out front. Strangely, no signs of vandalism or forced entry, just some neatly manicured yards and houses in good repair. And as I got caught up in the JBLM traffic leaving the base, sure looked as though at least two-thirds of the trucks and SUVs going through the Ft. Lewis main gate had at least one or more NRA, SIG, GLOCK, PSA, MagPul, BCM and other decals on their back windows. So there's that.

For the record,I have no decals or stickers on any of my cars (well, actually, the wife has a little dog-related decal on her back window, but not too many people break into cars to steal German Shepherds) nor do I ever leave an unsecured firearm in a vehicle, even if the vehicle is parked in my attached garage. Although I am aware that the wife's hugely expensive British SUV is a prime target for car thieves. And I should probably move out of my nice home that I worked all my life to get, as nice homes in good neighborhoods are commonly targeted by burglars and home invaders.

In any event, I will not call out those who do have a window decal or bumper sticker on their vehicles as being stupid, lacking in common sense or providing an invitation for a thief to break into their vehicle. And I won't participate in victim-shaming either, as I tend to blame the criminal for the criminal act.

Hey, is this one too obvious?
View attachment 1145236

 

[Old Dog]

You loose your cool, get triggered and chastise all of us for not owning our gun ownership by not plastering stickers all over our vehicles and then admit you don’t do it.

I'm cool as a cucumber, dude. If you took my post(s) as chastising all of you, I don't think you read for context. I'm simply pointing out the irony.

Stop being a hypocrite.

Hypocrite? Really, now. A strong accusation from another anonymous guy on the internet.

 

[Tinker-S]

I would figure any decent thief would just steal the hitch or already have the tools he needs. I have actually seen a set of thieves walking down a street before, checking car doors to see if they are locked. Guess it makes less noise to just rob unlocked cars and pass the ones that you have to break into.

I would figure any decent thief would just steal the hitch or already have the tools he needs. I have actually seen a set of thieves walking down a street before, checking car doors to see if they are locked. Guess it makes less noise to just rob unlocked cars and pass the ones that you have to break into.

I misplaced the key to my trailer hitch, and I was in a hurry to prep the vehicle for shipment. I was thinking about a sawzall, then my other half goes to the internet and says: Why not to try the trick I have seen on the 'net?.
I said, what?
I went looking for a piece of pipe, and without much force, broke the "lock" that is supposed to help to secure the hitch. One minute operation!

 

[VoodooMountain]

For times where one must pointlessly and unhappily disarm due to metal detectors (legality whatever), but they do not wish to be disarmed going to/from, a metal locking safe secured to seat track or other sturdy vehicle structure with a cable would be handy. Example:
ETA: I'll try different pic.
View attachment 1144839

The portable safe. For the thief on the go!