Secure Gun Storage in Vehicles

A Gun Could Be Stolen While You’re Reading This Page

At least one gun is stolen from a vehicle every nine minutes in the United States — most are taken from cars parked at home 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.

Statistics

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Across the United States, at least one gun is stolen from a vehicle every nine minutes.

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Vehicles are the second-most common place where children unintentionally shoot someone.

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More than one-third of guns stolen from cars are taken from vehicles parked at home.

Before You Go

What To Know Before You Put a Gun in Your Vehicle

Whether you’re a gun owner or not, knowing how to securely store guns in vehicles is a simple way to help protect your community.

Guns should only be stored in vehicles temporarily, and they should be out of sight, out of reach, and in a locked container.

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.

  • Consider whether you need to travel with your firearm in the first place. Guns should only ever be stored in locked vehicles temporarily as vehicles are relatively easy to break into compared to a home.

  • Make sure you have a plan to securely store your gun every time you drive with it. If you must drive with your gun in your car or vehicle, don’t just hide it in the glove box, center console, or under a seat.

  • 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.

SMART Practices

How to Securely Store Your Gun(s) in a Vehicle

If you do choose to temporarily keep a gun in your vehicle, there are ways to Be SMART:

  • 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.
  • 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 separate 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.