Reminder: Vehicles are Not Gun Safes

[Spats McGee]

On the issue of thieves breaking into cars: In any even semi-urban area, thieves break into cars daily. I know that in Little Rock and the surrounding area, small groups just drive around looking for unlocked cars. Most of them don't do any damage, but they go from car to car testing the handles. I have relatives in St. Louis who said that the thieves up there go around looking at the mirrors on newer cars. Some of the newer models have mirrors that fold in when the car is locked. Hence, if mirrors are out, it may be unlocked.

 

[wayneinFL]

Thieves used to sit in their cars in the lot at the movie theater at the mall and watch people get out of their cars. They're watching you put your valuables in the trunk before you go into the movies for 2 hours. Think they won't figure out you stuck your gun in a little stamped steel safe under the seat?

 

[wayneinFL]

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 have a hitch on my car. I saw that advice.

Am I also inviting theft if I park near a rock?

 

[Hugger-4641]

Thieves used to sit in their cars in the lot at the movie theater at the mall and watch people get out of their cars. They're watching you put your valuables in the trunk before you go into the movies for 2 hours. Think they won't figure out you stuck your gun in a little stamped steel safe under the seat?

If the stickers are what's telling people in your state that there are guns in cars, I have to get rid of my Florida tag.

Well let's just hypothesize this for a minute:

You're a criminal sneeking through a neighborhood full of Prius with Biden stickers and pickups with Molon Labe stickers. Which one you gonna break into first?

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

Just like I don’t blame a woman in a short skirt from being abused by an immoral person, I don’t blame a victim of any other crime for not being diligent enough. Yes, there are natural consequences to our actions and we may loose our own property or security as the result of our own choices. However, I have no obligation to go beyond simply providing reasonable security so that children who are too young to understand the consequences of their actions can’t gain access to my firearms. That doesn’t include a requirement for me to secure items from those who maliciously gain access to my property.

 

[codytrucker]

A better solution is that thieves who steal firearms be charged , and PROSOCUTED , for federal weapons trafficking violations , instead of petty theft . If being found guilty of firearms theft carried a 3 to 5 year sentence , a lot of the problem would go away . Blaming the victim , and holding the victim responsible , While calling the thief a "petty criminal " , isn't gonna fix the problem , and only causes dissension .

 

[wayneinFL]

Well let's just hypothesize this for a minute:

You're a criminal sneeking through a neighborhood full of Prius with Biden stickers and pickups with Molon Labe stickers. Which one you gonna break into first?

You brought up Biden. Let's hypothesize this for a minute:

You see a truck with a Biden sticker and a truck with a Trump sticker. Which one do you think has a gun in it?

So you can't have a Trump sticker, or any other Republican candidate, because you're negligently allowing criminals to steal your guns?

 

[Old Dog]

You're a criminal sneeking through a neighborhood full of Prius with Biden stickers and pickups with Molon Labe stickers. Which one you gonna break into first?

Easy choice for our crooks up here -- a Prius sporting a Biden bumper sticker more likely to have to have drugs inside...

 

[Hugger-4641]

So you can't have a Trump sticker, or any other Republican candidate, because you're negligently allowing criminals to steal your guns?

No one's allowing anyone to steal anything, though some places don't seem to dole out as much punishment to the thiefs as others.
But common sense should tell you that such advertising will make you a more likely target. You have every right to do it, but if you do, please don't leave your firearm unattended in the vehicle where it likely gets stolen and ends up on the street.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Easy choice for our crooks up here -- a Prius sporting a Biden bumper sticker more likely to have to have drugs inside...

What can I say to that?
Touche

 

[jmorris]

Am I also inviting theft if I park near a rock?

I suppose if you have any possessions, there is someone who would want to take them.

If you didn’t have a car, no one would break in but there would still be someone out there that would steal your bicycle or shoes. In some places, they would even kill you for them.

 

[Walkalong]

Closed at the OP's request.