Transporting Firearms In Vehicles – What You Need To Know

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has provided tips for gun owners who transport firearms in their cars. When driving with firearms (at any time), they should be secured. In some states firearms are required to be locked in the vehicle. With the increase in vehicle break-ins, it is important to keep gun case out of sight. This article contains tips for safe and secure gun transportation. Here are some key guidelines for safe, secure handling of firearms in cars: * Be aware of the muzzle direction and control it safely. This is a rule of gun safety that applies to both the inside and outside of vehicles. * After you have finished using your firearm, unload it and then re-enter the vehicle. Even after a long day at the range or a long hunting trip, make sure that your guns are unloaded and then double-check them before putting them in your car or truck. * Be careful when unloading a firearm inside a vehicle. This will prevent an accidental discharge. It is safer and easier to deload the firearm outside of the vehicle if your location permits. Never leave firearms in areas of the car that are accessible to children or animals. Keep ammunition and firearms out of sight so as to not attract thieves. Use temporary storage to secure firearms in cars. * A lockable case or lock box is the best option to safely store a firearm in a car. These are available in a variety of models and prices. Many lockable safes are designed to allow you to quickly access your firearm while still preventing unauthorized access. If possible, secure the lock box to your vehicle. Some companies create custom compartments for specific models of vehicles. Storing firearms in vehicles to prevent theft and misuseWe travel with our guns all the time. We take them to the range or on hunting trips, or carry them on our person as allowed by law. You don’t want your gun to be stolen and misused by criminals when you transport guns. In some states you may be subject to severe penalties and fines if you fail to secure a gun properly. The theft of firearms from cars is on the rise. Thefts of cars and trucks are common, even if they do not contain firearms. This is a reminder that the vehicle door locks may not be completely secure. When you’re not in your car, you should lock up all firearms and keep them out of sight. Locking your vehicle’s doors does not make it safe to store firearms. As one writer said: “Cars and truck are not safes.” They’re also not holsters. They are not storage containers.” Even if your vehicle’s console or glove compartment is lockable, it should not be considered as a secure storage device, since they can be quickly pried open and may be the first place that a thief will look. If you must leave a handgun inside a vehicle, it is best to put the gun in a secure case and keep it out of sight. Many vehicles have a compartment above the spare tire storage recess that can be locked.