The Need for a Car Gun Safe:
Cars are the largest source of stolen guns in the country with our home being the primary target. That’s right thieves are coming for your gun that you left sitting in your car at your house. The next most common location will be at the mall or restaurant where you parked your car. Those of you who have window decals that say don’t tread on my gun rights or NRA member stickers you might as well put a sign up that says, “Thieves shop here.”
As responsible gun owners, we have to minimize the likelihood of our guns getting into the hands of the wrong people. The easiest way to do this is first if you’re going to carry a gun in your vehicle get a permit so that you can carry it wherever you happen to be. The safest place for your handgun to be while out in public is on you. If you happen to be in an environment where you cannot carry your firearm in that case you need a vehicle vault or a gun safe.
Now I don’t care what your budget is if you carry a gun in your vehicle get a safe. I don’t care if it is a $20 or $300 safe. You need to have a safe. The first rule is something is better than nothing. Get the best safe you can afford. If it’s a metal box with a key and a cable tether, it is more secure than your glove compartment or center console.
if your budget allows you to buy something more expensive than a metal box with a key. your next consideration is how fast can you get in and out of your safe.
Using a Gun Safe:
Why you would need a vehicle gun safe is obvious. If you can’t take your gun with then secure it in your vehicle. Less obvious is how to maintain your safety when transitioning your firearm to and from the gun vault.
Your vehicle is a transitional space. A transitional space is when your attention goes from one activity completely to another activity it takes time to get acclimated and to assess your surroundings it is when you are most vulnerable. Getting out of your vehicle is a transition. it’s getting something out of your vehicle lengthens the time you’re in a transition and as well putting something in a safe in your vehicle is a transition therefore it is best to get these safe that allows you to put your gun away or to retrieve it as fast as possible. Key lock is not quite the best I’ve got one just to make sure that it does work and it covers the need. but I will be the first to admit that I feel extremely vulnerable when getting out of my car and having to lock my gun in the vehicle.
So when you are evaluating a vault for your vehicle look at what is quick and easy for you then work on the process of putting your gun away and retrieving it quickly. A few simple steps
- Before exiting your vehicle evaluate your immediate surroundings make sure it is safe for you to manipulate your gun and put it in the safe. Quite often this may require you to expose your gun to people around you.
- as quick as possible place your gun and lock it into you’re safe
- if you’re safe is under the seat conceal your safe so that it is not obvious to the general public.
- Ensure that your vehicle is locked before leaving.
- Finally, reobserve your surroundings ensure that your transitional space. Insure it is still clear of threats.
When returning to your vehicle, the steps are reversed. Most important is your very first action.
- As you approach your vehicle observe your surroundings ensure that there are no potential threats before opening your car door.
- Open your car door and immediately retrieve your firearm. This should be done before entering your vehicle.
- Enter your vehicle and immediately lock the doors.
- Evaluate your surroundings one more time and then proceed to start your car and exit.
one of the most dangerous things that we do while in the vehicle is focus on tuning the radio’s getting our GPS coordinates right in other activities that take our attention from our surroundings to inside the car. As a conscientious carrier One of the biggest things you should do is avoid any situation that may require you to draw your fire arm. So by simply avoiding where you may be threatened Not only are you protecting yourself from injury you’re protecting a another individual who might see it as a innocent crime of opportunity from being injured.