Locking a Firearm Up in a Vehicle

I make sure my weapon is unloaded and then secured in a strong lock box that I have in the truck which also has a security cable. My magazine and rounds are kept separately from the firearm. I also do NOT keep decals or stickers on my car that might lead a person to think there is a weapon inside. 

Unless I go to the gun range to practice, I do not carry multiple handguns in the car or on my person. I don’t wear 2A or pro-gun shirts and avoid tactical clothing which can draw attention. The exception is the 1.5″ leather heavy duty gun belt which you need to properly support the weight of the loaded gun and holster. But even then, I choose a plain black or brown belt with normal looking buckle. I tend to leave my T-shirts untucked and will also wear a buttoned-down shirt over that to hide the belt and whatever may be attached to it.

You do the best you can to not look like a target. 

To safely store a gun in a car, follow these guidelines

1. Never store your firearm in a glove box or the center console. Keep it out of reach of passengers.

2. Choose a gun case with a hard outer shell and foam cut-outs for protection.

3. Ensure the car gun safe or case is locked.

4. Keep ammunition in a separate case.

5. Lock non-restricted firearms and containers carrying restricted or prohibited firearms in the trunk or a lockable compartment.

Times are tough economically, and that means that theft is on the rise. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), one troubling crime that's on the rise is thefts of guns from cars. Unfortunately, firearms are very attractive to thieves because they're portable and have a high street value. However, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk if circumstances ever dictate that you must leave your gun behind in your car. Here are the NSSF's tips.

Ever locked your keys into your car? Then you know that it's not all that hard to break into a car. However, a dedicated in-vehicle safe or lock box will represent more of a challenge. Consider investing in a discreet lock box just for your car. There are many on the market; shop around and see what works best for your personal situation.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but for those of us who live in the country and have a "truck gun," it can be easy to forget that the workaday tool you keep in your car to shoo coyotes off your land is extremely attractive to thieves. Put it out of sight.

Naturally, the longer you're gone, the longer any thief may have to try to break into your car. Of course, sometimes circumstances require that you leave the car or truck alone with the gun in it, but anything you can do to make the thief's job harder during that time will be of assistance. It may be well worth your while to pay for parking in a manned, secure lot.

“No one wants their gun stolen from their vehicle and to live with the thought that it could be used in a crime,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “If you must temporarily leave your firearm in a vehicle, we encourage you to use a secure storage device to keep it hidden from prying eyes and inaccessible to thieves. The new PSAs show the many storage devices available for use in vehicles, including custom models designed to fit into consoles and other places in your car.”