Secure Gun Storage in Cars
Key takeaways
- Securely storing guns in vehicles means they should only be in the vehicle temporarily and should be stored out of sight, out of reach, and in locked containers attached to your car.
- More than one-third of guns stolen from cars are taken from vehicles parked at residences (in driveways and outside homes).
- Vehicles are the second-most common location for unintentional shootings by children to occur, particularly for preschoolers ages 5 and younger.
- There are attachable gun safes compatible with every make and model of vehicle.
- Secure gun storage—in vehicles and at home—saves lives.
Secure gun storage saves lives, protects communities, and prevents crime
At least one gun is stolen from a vehicle every nine minutes in the United States. Most stolen guns are taken from cars parked at home (in driveways or nearby), and many of those stolen firearms later end up being used in crimes. Securely storing guns in vehicles by keeping them out of sight, out of reach, and in a locked container attached to your car is a simple, effective way to protect communities and your personal property.
SMART practices for vehicle gun storage
Whether you’re a gun owner or not, knowing (and then sharing) the guidelines for securely storing guns in vehicles is a simple way to help protect your community.
The first step for secure gun storage in a vehicle is considering whether you need to travel with your firearm in the first place. Guns should only ever be stored in locked vehicles temporarily because vehicles are relatively easy to break into compared to a home.
If you do plan to drive with your gun in your car or vehicle, make sure you have a plan to securely store it—not just hide it in the glove box, center console, or under a seat. The best kind of gun storage is a safe or lockbox, hidden from view and attached to the vehicle, that secures your firearm and prevents unauthorized access.
- Many drivers keep a safe or lockbox under a seat or in the trunk of the vehicle
- There are secure storage options that will work in every make and model of vehicle, including biometric models that allow you to quickly access a firearm when needed
- However you store your firearm, make sure it is attached to the vehicle in some way. Some drivers bolt the safe to the frame of their vehicle; others use a cable to attach their safe to the bottom hardware of a car seat
- Consider storing your gun separately from ammunition. That way, if someone other than you (whether it’s a curious child or someone breaking into your car) does gain access to the firearm, they won’t be able to use it immediately
Importantly, before you travel with your firearm, familiarize yourself with the gun storage laws in your state. Because laws vary, if your travel will take you across state lines, ensure you know the laws for any states you’ll be passing through as well.
Share our fact sheet on how a SMART driver secures their gun.
What states have secure storage laws?
As of 2026, more than half of the states and the District of Columbia have secure storage laws on the books. While the secure gun storage requirements vary state-to-state, these laws generally mean that:
- Guns must be stored in a locked container, or
- There are penalties (like fines or even jail time) if children access unsecured firearms
LEARN MORE: Secure storage laws in your state
Remember, even if your state doesn’t have a secure storage law in place, securely storing your gun in your home and/or in your vehicle can prevent death, serious injury, and other life-changing consequences.
Protect your community by sharing the importance of secure gun storage in vehicles
You can help protect your community by sharing the message about securely storing guns in vehicles in three ways:
- Share the message online
Show the people who follow you why secure gun storage in cars matters to you and how you practice it. Tag @BeSMARTForKids on Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and Facebook.
Here are some graphics and sample language about secure gun storage in vehicles to get you started:
- Every 9 minutes at least one gun is stolen from a car in the US. We can’t let this continue. Learn more about why storing guns securely in cars is essential to protecting our communities, our families, and ourselves: https://besmartforkids.org/secure-gun-storage-in-cars/[Share with Graphic]
- Storing guns securely in cars helps save families and communities from the heartbreak and trauma of gun violence. Help get the word out about this growing issue: https://besmartforkids.org/secure-gun-storage-in-cars/
- Have conversations with family, friends, and community members about the importance of secure gun storage in cars
Conversations play a key role in promoting secure gun storage in our communities. Whether you’re a gun owner or not, you can ask other drivers if they own guns and how they’re stored before you or any family members ride in their cars. These conversations help normalize secure storage and can be bundled in with other routine safety questions. (Use our guide to asking about secure storage to get started!)
Your conversations don’t need to stop there, though. Think about where people in your area already spend their time: where they park their cars, run errands, or gather day-to-day. Then, approach local leaders to raise awareness about firearm theft from vehicles and explore whether they can help share information to protect children, families, and community members.
Examples include:
- Car washes, auto repair shops, rental car locations, gas stations, parking garages, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or parking lots
- Homeowners associations
- Local businesses like grocery stores, barber shops, laundromats, and other everyday gathering spots
- Parent-teacher associations or organizations
- Places of worship
Remember: Start these conversations from a place of shared values and make a clear, simple ask. Most people will be happy to help share flyers, resource links, or posters. Remember: You’re there to share about prevention and safety, not to start (or try to win) an argument. Our Conversation Guide on Secure Gun Storage in Vehicles gives practical tips and key reminders to help you approach these leaders with confidence!
{button} Conversation Guide: Secure Gun Storage in Vehicles
- Make two clicks to learn more
Spreading the word about the importance of secure gun storage in vehicles is an easy way you can make an impact in your community and help prevent tragedies. It takes just two clicks to get involved. Tell us you want to learn more by clicking the link below, then sending the email with the pre-filled subject line and message!