Do you need a car gun safe to avoid breaking the law?
Depending on where you live, you can store a firearm in your vehicle without breaking the law. However, the way you store your weapon can be the difference between smooth sailing and trouble with the police. So, is a car gun safe a necessity? Or is it just a good idea for gun-carrying drivers?
A car gun safe might not be a mandate, but it is a good idea
In short, no, you don’t need to install a car gun safe in your vehicle to carry a firearm in your vehicle. However, it’s up to you to know the laws of your state and local authorities. For instance, some states may require you to lock your weapon in your car separately from ammunition. Regardless of your state’s specific laws, a locking safe is a shrewd idea for gun owners, especially gun owners who insist on keeping guns in their cars.
For starters, a gun safe can be either mechanical or electronic, with safety measures that only you can bypass. As such, it’s much less likely that a passenger you don’t trust, like an acquaintance or child, can pop open your center armrest storage or glove compartment and remove a stowed handgun. Moreover, many pistol safes are small enough to fit under a vehicle seat or in a small trunk.
According to the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), storing your weapon in a glove box is well within your rights in some states. However, doing so invites the prospect of theft. Criminals often steal guns out of parked and unattended cars. Incidentally, a glove compartment is one of the first places a thief may look.
However, gun owners have a middle-ground option between a factory compartment and a gun safe. Some aftermarket outfitters make year, make, and model-specific safes that sit inside center armrest storage spaces. These safes obscure a weapon from view while also keeping it locked away safely.
Furthermore, in states where open carry is legal, you may be allowed to install a holster mount for ease of access. Of course, that setup requires you to remember to stow your weapon out of sight when you park. After all, any firearm left in view is an invitation for a break-in.
