Leaving a gun in the car

[Warp]

In general leaving a gun in a car is a bad idea. Thieves often break into cars to steal whatever they can find.

Yes, a safe and other precautions would help, but why not be secure and carry on-body?

That isn't always an option...or may not be as good of an overall option as the car.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

What do you do? Take gun off hip and leave it hidden until you return.

I do several things:

1. Wherever possible, I don't patronize places that don't allow concealed carry.
2. I inform the company WHY I don't patronize them (and get friends to do the same.)
3. I point out that the store (or whatever) is there to ATTRACT customers, and if they will not allow customers the means of self-defense, they must have security on site to protect those unarmed customers.
4. I keep my gun on my hip, but concealed.

 

[trentcwwilson]

I do several things:

1. Wherever possible, I don't patronize places that don't allow concealed carry.
2. I inform the company WHY I don't patronize them (and get friends to do the same.)
3. I point out that the store (or whatever) is there to ATTRACT customers, and if they will not allow customers the means of self-defense, they must have security on site to protect those unarmed customers.
4. I keep my gun on my hip, but concealed.

Please refer back to my post. Is some small towns, you don't have that option. If fact, in the last town I lived in, if you did what you explained, you had a 50+ mile drive to the next nearest grocery store. Like I said, you don't always have the option.

 

[GBExpat]

Please refer back to my post. Is some small towns, you don't have that option. If fact, in the last town I lived in, if you did what you explained, you had a 50+ mile drive to the next nearest grocery store. Like I said, you don't always have the option.

My guess is that his response to that will be good'ol #4.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Please refer back to my post. Is some small towns, you don't have that option. If fact, in the last town I lived in, if you did what you explained, you had a 50+ mile drive to the next nearest grocery store. Like I said, you don't always have the option.

You don't have the option of complaining to the owners? You don't have the option of simply forgetting you're carrying?

 

[trentcwwilson]

You don't have the option of complaining to the owners? You don't have the option of simply forgetting you're carrying?

Let's see here. You can complain all you want. I prefer not having to drive out of town to get milk. And you mean to tell me you are willing to lie that you have a gun on you when there are LEGAL signage saying you can't carry on the property(like Texas and 30.06/30.07, I forget which one)?

 

[DeepSouth]

I live in Alabama and I've always left a gun in my vehicle and have never had any trouble with ammo, some of it has spent a couple years in the vehicle and shot without a problem. I have found 22 bullets in my truck that could have been in it for several years, it's just not a real concern. I would think humidity would be a bigger factor, but again I've never had any problems their either.

Honestly I've wondered just how hot it would have to get to set a round off. I know a car in AL can get hot enough to bust a can of coke, contrary to what myth busters thinks, but I'd imagine that way less than it'd take to light of a round.

 

[Warp]

My guess is that his response to that will be good'ol #4.

For some states that means breaking the law.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For some states that means breaking the law.

But not all by any means. In many states it's like signs that say "No shirt, no shoes, no service." You're not breaking the law when you ignore such a sign -- they'll just ask you to leave.

And to those who say, "Well, I'd have to drive too far to get milk" -- well, now we know what freedom is worth to you.

 

[trentcwwilson]

But not all by any means. In many states it's like signs that say "No shirt, no shoes, no service." You're not breaking the law when you ignore such a sign -- they'll just ask you to leave.

And to those who say, "Well, I'd have to drive too far to get milk" -- well, now we know what freedom is worth to you.

That's the best comment of the day.

 

[murf]

bullseye308,

when i was working in phoenix, my truck gun would stay in the glove box, or tucked under the seat of the pickup. summer temps inside the truck are well above 130 degrees. never had a problem with the ammo. never changed the ammo out for new. the ammo got shot when that gun went to the range.

suggest you always keep the weapon covered. direct sunlight can increase temps substantially. i used to have to keep my tools in the shade in the summertime so they wouldn't burn my hands.

murf

 

[Warp]

But not all by any means. In many states it's like signs that say "No shirt, no shoes, no service." You're not breaking the law when you ignore such a sign -- they'll just ask you to leave.

And to those who say, "Well, I'd have to drive too far to get milk" -- well, now we know what freedom is worth to you.

This isn't a matter of freedom.

Unless you are saying he is not free to choose whether he shops there without his gun (recognizing private property rights of the store) or shops elsewhere with his gun. Is somebody else forcing that decision on him that I am not aware of?

 

[trentcwwilson]

This isn't a matter of freedom.

Unless you are saying he is not free to choose whether he shops there without his gun (recognizing private property rights of the store) or shops elsewhere with his gun. Is somebody else forcing that decision on him that I am not aware of?

I think my comments are being taken out of context. I'm say that I literally have to drive a good distance if I want to carry my gun in a grocery store. Instead of wasting gas to prove a point, I leave it in the truck, but make sure my holster is EXTREMELY visible. Actually the reason it's yellow...

 

[figment]

7 years in Texas weather in my truck cab. Kahr .40 w/golden saber. Slight rust on slide where it met leather holster. No fail to fire from ammo. As far as I could tell it shot like new. Use quality ammo.

 

[Wanderling]

Carry on school property has been allowed in the state of tennessee as long as you have your ccw permit on you and the vehicle stays locked with the weapon inside. Having a vehicle gun is more popular than people think. And doing so goes hand in hand with trying to make sure you care for said gun. I'm glad to see the OP asking. Shows responsibility.

Sorry, my choice of wording was poor.

The way I read the OP's post, it seemed he was going to leave the gun locked inside some lockable compartment in his vehicle; not just leave it in the locked vehicle when he was not driving it.

Leaving the gun locked in a safe box inside the car seems like a bad idea - you either have to unlock it every time you enter your car (a PITA and leaves you vulnerable if in a bad area) or you just drive around with it locked.

I would think that putting it out of sight and locking the vehicle should be sufficient. If someone decides to break into your car without even seeing your gun, that's a lesser risk than to need that gun and not have the time to unlock it.

 

[bullseye308]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and differing viewpoints. I take my daughter to preschool and have to go in to sign her in and then sign her out daily and I lock it up while I'm on school property and cover the safe with a blanket. I keep one of my glocks on me when I am allowed and the other in the safe as a backup/just in case, or in case I pass the range.
I just picked up 1000 silvertips to load and I'll duplicate the factory and replace every 6 months or when the seasons change. I carry every place it is legal to do so and for the times I'm somewhere I can't I keep it locked and covered.

I make an effort to be polite, nice, and respectful to everyone I meet, and stay out of places that aren't very nice, and try to be as watchful as I can. God willing amo stored in my van will never be an issue I need to worry about.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[larryh1108]

And to those who say, "Well, I'd have to drive too far to get milk" -- well, now we know what freedom is worth to you.

Wow, aren't we judgmental. By the way, you are just, plain, wrong but hey, it's your opinion and worth what we paid for it.

How about this, you do your thing your way and we'll do our thing our way and you can park your pious attitude at the door. We don't walk in your golden slippers and you don't walk in our boots.

You tell a LEO, or anybody, to break a law and carry into a no carry area just to appease YOUR requirement of not leaving a pistol in a locked car? Yeah, that makes sense. Break a law to make you happy and we can be on your good side. Pass.

I think my comments are being taken out of context. I'm say that I literally have to drive a good distance if I want to carry my gun in a grocery store. Instead of wasting gas to prove a point, I leave it in the truck,

You got it 100% right. Some people think their way is the only right way. They need to grow up or learn that other people have different circumstances. They live in their own perfect world where every decision they make is perfect because they are always right.

 

[tonyjr]

Years ago while hunting , I got a squib . It was in the carbine with older cartridges .
[ The carbine was my brush gun - 270 was sit and wait . ]
Anyway , I was told then that the bouncing around in truck changed / powderized the powder . When I got home , I pulled the bullets . More dust than powder .
I would be more worried about the powder falling apart than the heat / cold .
Powder is cheap enough , I take after 2 trips in field and bullets get pulled and powder replaced .
Ask anyone that reloads , if they clean the powder holder after reloading and if there is any " dust " . Remember this is from just pouring powder from container to holder .
People will tell you not to sweat it - but if you are carrying - there is a reason .

 

[Walkalong]

Anyway , I was told then that the bouncing around in truck changed / powderized the powder .

Doesn't happen. The squib was something else.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=498890

Leaving a gun in the car not locked up somehow is a personal choice, but we have to be understand the potential risk of it being stolen, and then possibly being misused.

 

[[email protected]]

Your ammo will be fine, but if you doubt it replace it. It will give you an excuse to shoot your gun and buy/reload more ammo. My duty ammo does not get replaced every time it gets wet or is subjected to high/low tempature. In fact we only get replacement ammo every two years, and per policy we cannot provide our own.
I would request that you upgrade the steel cable that attaches the safe. I attached a chain to mine. In my years of service the majority of auto burglaries that I have investigated were of unlocked cars with no indication of tools being used. The ones that involved tools were forced entry involving the door lock being punched or a window broken. My point is alot of times it is a crime of oppertunity that does not involve the use of tools such as cutters. But by you deciding to go arm you are already preparing for the worst case, so why not do so in securing your gun. Suspects will park in a lot and simply watch for easy pickens, often in gun free zones. Dont wait until your getting out of your car before you secure your weapon. You may be being watched. If you start moving around as though your hiding somthing, you may attract attention to your car. Theif thinks "if it is worth hiding, it's worth stealing". He or she may not get your gun, but you may return to a broken window or door lock.

 

[larryh1108]

OP:

I plan on leaving a Glock in my van just in case. I bought a sentry safe with a keypad and a key lock and a cable to tie it to the seat frame. My van stays locked at all times and has an alarm. It will reside between the front seats with a blanket over it

reply:

Leaving a gun in the car not locked up somehow is a personal choice, but we have to be understand the potential risk of it being stolen, and then possibly being misused.

I guess that is a practical and general statement but does not apply to this discussion. The OP specifically said it would be in a locked car, in a locked car safem properly anchored and hidden from sight. My issue was with people saying others should drive an extra 50 miles or to break the law so he won't lock a gun in his own car. That's totally out of touch with reality.

 

[MutinousDoug]

Please tell me how to thwart Court house or police station metal detectors? I think this applies to DMV and other gov't offices as well.

I carry into posted businesses because they have to confront me and ask that I not carry in order to enforce their signage. I don't have that "privilege" in Gov't buildings using detectors.

Now, What do I do with my legally permitted carry weapon?

 

[jrdolall]

I keep a gun in every vehicle I own at all times. Have for many years. I live in Georgia but also spend a lot of time in Alabama. If you have never spent time here then you will enjoy the heat and humidity in August and September. Like cold? Come on down in January and February (just not much this year).

I run these guns every few months, no regular schedule, and have never had an issue with ammo from getting hot or cold or damp. It easily reaches over 120 very quickly in a car in July so the ammo goes from 70 to 120 and often several times each day.

 

[GLOOB]

I would change it out every 6 months.

I was going to say every 10 years.

How about you fill the rest of the box with range ammo, and every 6 months you shoot some of it to see what happens?

 

[rcmodel]

I stopped leaving my carwash quarters in the truck ash trey years ago!

After the local crack-heads broke the side window out twice in three years to steal them.

I would no sooner leave a firearm in my truck then just drive by a grade-school and throw them out the window!!!

rc