Car burglaries = gun jackpot

[mr1337]

I've heard that criminals like to target cars with pro-2A stickers on them for that very reason. They may be stupid, but they're not dumb.

That's why I refuse to put NRA, AR-15, Glock, Magpul, Molan Labe, or anything firearm-related on my vehicle. That stuff goes on my ammo storage for the range.

[zero4o3]

I only lock my gun in the car (in a NanoVault cabled to the seat) when I need to disarm to go into a "gun-free zone."

I suspect that if we had fewer "gun-free zones" we would also have fewer car burglaries that result in a gun being stolen.

I suspect there is a large subset of gun owners that keep a gun in their car at all times.

[jmorris]

While reading these postings I had a thought. Many folks, me included like to put NRA, and other gun related decals on their vehicles. I'm starting to wonder if this is such a good idea. I'm wondering if those decals are an invitation for thieves. Just walk through a parking garage and look for gun decals and bumper stickers. Would be an interesting survey question for those that have had their guns stolen from their vehicles.

Of course they are. It's almost like putting a "nobody's home" sign on your front door when you leave.

It's not a 100% chance that there's a gun in the car, but the chances are much, much higher that there might be.

This is the only reason that I don't proudly advertise my NRA support and membership on my vehicle. I very seldom leave my weapon in the car anyways unless it is in a secured area.

Standing at my favorite taco truck waiting on my order one morning and the guy next to me nods at my truck. Kel-tec, Kahr, NRA, TSRA decals. Asks me how many times I've had my truck broken into. Zero, I say. Gives me a look. "I don't have one darn decal and I've had two guns stolen out of mine."

[JSThane]

Honestly, I rather doubt that most car burglars are even looking at the decals. What they're going to be looking for are cars parked in easily accessible, but not easily visible, places. Dark areas of nighttime parking lots, side lots not visible from the street, some driveways, etc. Their first goal is to not get caught. Their second goal is to find something easily pawned, or sold to a fellow hooligan for drug money. When they're looking at the vehicle, they're probably not going to spend time reading all the bumper stickers; they're going to be peering into the windows to see if there's anything visible and of value inside.

Instead of worrying about what your decals and bumper stickers advertise, pay attention to where you park. Try to choose, at the supermarket for example, parking spots that are under lamp posts and fairly visible from an entrance. If you can, leave at least one parking spot between yourself and other vehicles, to make it harder for a thief to hide in between them while breaking in. Make sure you don't have any easily portable items of obvious value lying on the seats or the floor. If you're parking at home, and have a garage, use it. If it's full of random knick-knacks, maybe it's time for a yard sale. If you don't have a garage, or it's otherwise occupied (by a workshop, another car, etc.), try to park somewhere visible from at least two windows of your house or apartment. Again, if it is an apartment complex, try also to park somewhere visible to your neighbors, or by people entering and exiting the building. Criminals don't like audiences.

Above all, lock your car doors if you have anything of value inside, hidden or otherwise. Many thieves will take "lesser pickings" from an unlocked car than greater from a locked one, as actually breaking into it takes more effort, and they're looking for an "easy score."

[suthdj]

Honestly, I rather doubt that most car burglars are even looking at the decals. What they're going to be looking for are cars parked in easily accessible, but not easily visible, places. Dark areas of nighttime parking lots, side lots not visible from the street, some driveways, etc. Their first goal is to not get caught. Their second goal is to find something easily pawned, or sold to a fellow hooligan for drug money. When they're looking at the vehicle, they're probably not going to spend time reading all the bumper stickers; they're going to be peering into the windows to see if there's anything visible and of value inside.

Instead of worrying about what your decals and bumper stickers advertise, pay attention to where you park. Try to choose, at the supermarket for example, parking spots that are under lamp posts and fairly visible from an entrance. If you can, leave at least one parking spot between yourself and other vehicles, to make it harder for a thief to hide in between them while breaking in. Make sure you don't have any easily portable items of obvious value lying on the seats or the floor. If you're parking at home, and have a garage, use it. If it's full of random knick-knacks, maybe it's time for a yard sale. If you don't have a garage, or it's otherwise occupied (by a workshop, another car, etc.), try to park somewhere visible from at least two windows of your house or apartment. Again, if it is an apartment complex, try also to park somewhere visible to your neighbors, or by people entering and exiting the building. Criminals don't like audiences.

Above all, lock your car doors if you have anything of value inside, hidden or otherwise. Many thieves will take "lesser pickings" from an unlocked car than greater from a locked one, as actually breaking into it takes more effort, and they're looking for an "easy score."

[rp_photo]

I only lock my gun in the car (in a NanoVault cabled to the seat) when I need to disarm to go into a "gun-free zone."

I suspect that if we had fewer "gun-free zones" we would also have fewer car burglaries that result in a gun being stolen.

That as well as fewer accidental discharges resulting from holstering and unholstering.

Much like aircraft, guns are most dangerous on "takeoff" (unholstering) and "landing" (holstering), and safest during "cruising" (being carried).

[VMI77]

While reading these postings I had a thought. Many folks, me included like to put NRA, and other gun related decals on their vehicles. I'm starting to wonder if this is such a good idea. I'm wondering if those decals are an invitation for thieves. Just walk through a parking garage and look for gun decals and bumper stickers. Would be an interesting survey question for those that have had their guns stolen from their vehicles.

They also give a looney lefty a chance to SWAT you or falsely accuse you of waving a gun around if they have a road rage incident. It probably doesn't happen often but why take the risk?

[rp_photo]

I've heard that criminals like to target cars with pro-2A stickers on them for that very reason. They may be stupid, but they're not dumb.

That's why I refuse to put NRA, AR-15, Glock, Magpul, Molan Labe, or anything firearm-related on my vehicle. That stuff goes on my ammo storage for the range.

In today's world, it's best to not use your vehicle as a platform for your political views, interests, sense of humor, etc. That's what social media is for.

[Richbirdhunter]

Doesn't owning a truck in Texas say, hello I'm a gun owner?

[jmra]

Doesn't owning a truck in Texas say, hello I'm a gun owner?

No. I know lots of people who own trucks that don't own guns.

[Richbirdhunter]

Doesn't owning a truck in Texas say, hello I'm a gun owner?

No. I know lots of people who own trucks that don't own guns.

Do you live in Austin?

[jmra]

Doesn't owning a truck in Texas say, hello I'm a gun owner?

No. I know lots of people who own trucks that don't own guns.

Do you live in Austin?

No, I do not. I live in Ellis county.

[Richbirdhunter]

Doesn't owning a truck in Texas say, hello I'm a gun owner?

No. I know lots of people who own trucks that don't own guns.

Do you live in Austin?

No, I do not. I live in Ellis county.

I was just wondering