National Carry AcademyHow Do You Leave Firearms in the Car Responsibly?
August 12, 2016
If you carry your firearm daily, you’ll eventually need to enter a place that will not allow you to enter without your pistol. For example, your place of work might not allow you to carry inside the business, but also might not mind if you lock your pistol up inside your vehicle in a place where it can’t be seen from the outside.
It’s already not a good idea to leave your pistol in a place where it can be seen by people passing by. Thieves tend to inspect the center console, under the seats, and inside the glove box for weapons. They’ll also check the trunk, if time permits.
This means that it’s important to think critically about where we leave our weapons.
Best Bet: In a Locked, Concealed Container Secured Inside the Vehicle
There are a number of companies, like Conceal Pro, that provide custom design compartments that are concealed and operate mechanically. While closed, these compartments look like any regular part of the vehicle, providing no evidence that a pistol is stored inside them.
The companies that do this typically customize the compartment to your specific model of car, making certain that the compartment matches other panels within the interior. There’s typically a secret button or code used to open them. It might not be best to store your pistol in them while you’re on the road, as you may need quick access to it. They are specifically made for the times in which you need to exit your car and you can’t take your pistol with you.
This option makes the most sense if you carry every day and plan on having your car for quite some time. You’re making an investment in storing your pistol responsibly.
A Locked Safe Box is Another Good Option
When installing a custom concealed compartment is impossible or impractical, a vehicle-mounted gun safe is affordable, and can be a perfect option for pistol storage. A Console Vault is one of these options. Although a thief still could detect it, removing it from the vehicle could prove to be time consuming.
This will give you peace of mind in knowing that your firearm is being stored safely in the event that you need to enter a place where firearms are not allowed, like a courthouse or a post office.
Such compartments also work perfectly for storing backup magazines or quick-loaders for revolvers. It’s good advice to always carry a backup magazine for your concealed carry pistol, and this compartment can be a great place to store an additional backup.
Bad Idea: Trunk or Locked Glove box
Either a glove box or the trunk is easily broken into, making them bad places to store a pistol. In most cases, a crowbar is all a thief needs. You shouldn’t leave a firearm in either of these places, even if you will only be leaving them there for a very short period of time. I regularly hear reports of guns being taken from cars by thieves.
The purpose of storing your firearm in your vehicle is not to have quick access should you need it, but to safely store it away in a concealed location. While in your vehicle, your pistol should always be on you. When you leave your car, it should be stored in a locked, secured container.
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.
How Do You Leave Firearms in the Car Responsibly?
August 12, 2016
If you carry your firearm daily, you’ll eventually need to enter a place that will not allow you to enter without your pistol. For example, your place of work might not allow you to carry inside the business, but also might not mind if you lock your pistol up inside your vehicle in a place where it can’t be seen from the outside.
It’s already not a good idea to leave your pistol in a place where it can be seen by people passing by. Thieves tend to inspect the center console, under the seats, and inside the glove box for weapons. They’ll also check the trunk, if time permits.
This means that it’s important to think critically about where we leave our weapons.
Best Bet: In a Locked, Concealed Container Secured Inside the Vehicle
There are a number of companies, like Conceal Pro, that provide custom design compartments that are concealed and operate mechanically. While closed, these compartments look like any regular part of the vehicle, providing no evidence that a pistol is stored inside them.
The companies that do this typically customize the compartment to your specific model of car, making certain that the compartment matches other panels within the interior. There’s typically a secret button or code used to open them. It might not be best to store your pistol in them while you’re on the road, as you may need quick access to it. They are specifically made for the times in which you need to exit your car and you can’t take your pistol with you.
This option makes the most sense if you carry every day and plan on having your car for quite some time. You’re making an investment in storing your pistol responsibly.
A Locked Safe Box is Another Good Option
When installing a custom concealed compartment is impossible or impractical, a vehicle-mounted gun safe is affordable, and can be a perfect option for pistol storage. A Console Vault is one of these options. Although a thief still could detect it, removing it from the vehicle could prove to be time consuming.
This will give you peace of mind in knowing that your firearm is being stored safely in the event that you need to enter a place where firearms are not allowed, like a courthouse or a post office.
Such compartments also work perfectly for storing backup magazines or quick-loaders for revolvers. It’s good advice to always carry a backup magazine for your concealed carry pistol, and this compartment can be a great place to store an additional backup.
Bad Idea: Trunk or Locked Glove box
Either a glove box or the trunk is easily broken into, making them bad places to store a pistol. In most cases, a crowbar is all a thief needs. You shouldn’t leave a firearm in either of these places, even if you will only be leaving them there for a very short period of time. I regularly hear reports of guns being taken from cars by thieves.
The purpose of storing your firearm in your vehicle is not to have quick access should you need it, but to safely store it away in a concealed location. While in your vehicle, your pistol should always be on you. When you leave your car, it should be stored in a locked, secured container.
Nancy Thorne is founder and principal of Thorne Business Research. With more than 30 years experience as an information research and writing professional in small business, trade associations and large corporate environments. She has expertise in writing blog posts, articles, newsletters and reports for a diverse group of clients in a wide variety of industries. Prior to becoming an independent writer and information professional, Ms. Thorne held research and analytical positions with Bank of America and Citicorp and was a licensed teacher of English.