The civilian disarmament industrial complex has taken to highlighting “irresponsible” gun owners who leave firearms in their cars — only to have them (the guns) stolen and used by criminals. Cops too! In response, the National Shooting Sports Foundation has produced a Firearms Safety in Vehicles. Among its recommendations . . .
– When finished using your firearm outside your vehicle, unload it before you re-enter your vehicle.
– Even after a long hunt or a day in the sun at the range, always check, and then double check, that guns are unloaded before placing them in a car or truck.
There’s nothing wrong with the NSSF’s general advice for safe storage of a firearm in a vehicle. Especially their warning to “Never leave firearms in an area of the vehicle where they are accessible to children or pets.”
But their advice completely ignores the fact that millions of Americans keep a loaded gun in their car for emergencies.
To wit: there’s a whole industry dedicated to quick-access car/SUV/truck holsters for loaded handguns and yes rifles too. Which only a small percentage of Americans use; they generally throw their handgun in the center console or glove box when leaving their car.
What percentage of gun owner lock their guns in their glove box is unknown. But, if you put away political correctness, telling gun owners to lock their handgun in the glove box (some cars lock it via central locking) would prevent more thefts than expecting gun owners to buy, secure and use a task-specific gun safe.
This doesn’t solve the “Daddy’s running into the store for a minute kids” problem — exacerbated by the large number of retail “gun free zones.” The only answer there: don’t do it. Don’t leave your gun in a car with unsupervised children. Pets? Uh . . .
While we’re looking at practical solutions, gun owners should also be advised to forgo/remove pro-gun stickers from their car. Yes, well, the NRA would have a cow if the NSSF went down that road.
It’s easy to understand why the NSSF chose to leave the “loaded gun in the car for self-defense” thing alone. But it’s also true that any effective solution to gun thefts from vehicles should consider the truth about guns: how they’re used and stored in vehicles and what changes the average gun owner is willing to make.
I ignore GFZ stickers at stores and restaurants. They’re not legally binding here anyway. Also my car doesn’t have a locking glovebox or console, so I don’t like to leave anything of value in there. I don’t have any bumperstickers on my car, and I think putting a big ol’ NRA sticker on is certainly an invitation for thieves.
Also, don’t forget what NSSF stands for- self-defense is not “sporting” and never should be.
ATF “gatekeepers” and “stakeholders”. The bureaucrats make a pretense of paying attention to the suggestions of “the folks” when they are actually determined to claim that their resulting policy changes—determined by political expediency—are “best practices” which have to be imposed for the national good. Nonetheless, bureaucratic policy changes are easier to challenge than actual laws passed by congress. Laws are institutionalized while policies are not. This is why the NRA—in the midst of the moral panic caused by the Vegas killings—successfully kicked the whole bump-fire issue out of congress and over to the ATF. Policy changes that violate the 2nd amendment are much easier to challenge in court than actual laws. This is something the NRA understands quite well. It’s why they continue to get my money and support.
We can keep schools safe by enacting this simple thirty-two word law.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of Defense shall have full authority to use any and all resources at its disposal to keep the people of the United States safe.”
This would enable the DoD to deploy United States Army infantry units to secure our schools.
Thirty-two words.
That is it.
That is all we need.
Sounds like you want the Posse Comitatus law tossed, and the military to take over all policing in the U.S. As if the U.S. military isn’t busy enough in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and other spots around the world. But I’ve never thought that our military should be the world’s sheriff, either – the situation should go back to what it was like before Pearl Harbor – protect the Americas and let the rest of the world worry about itself. Back to your proposed law: Will empowerment of the U.S. military to carry out police functions in America eliminate the need for civilian police departments? Or will we be the most overpoliced society on earth?
I don’t want anything on my vehicle that identifies me in any way and I don’t even like when they put a selling dealer’s sticker on the back because it gives a hint as to the area I live. I think unloading a gun when you leave it in your car is an act that draws attention that you have a gun. I’m not comfortable leaving my gun anywhere unattended.
Hey, now THAT looks like funnnnnnnnnn! Got to get me one, or two, or …….
In my truck, I have a custom made, welded down box that will fit a rifle or two with room for pistols and magazines. In my other vehicles I have cheap lock boxes. Won’t stop someone with bolt cutters, but will stop the “smash and grab” type of thief.
Where’s DoomGuy? I figured he’d be along by now to assure us we were only seconds away from a ban and confiscation of all semi-auto arms?
I’m actually surprised at these results, but how do you know the .gov isn’t just gonna give us all the finger and do it anyway?
“…but how do you know the .gov isn’t just gonna give us all the finger and do it anyway?”
It’s the beauty of the game. With government, you can’t win, you can’t break even, and you can’t quit.
Since when do we have 40 million NRA members?
I am not sure that Hillary could’ve won. She lost to Donald J. Trump. He wasn’t the best choice, but way better than her. When it comes to the results of the last elections it comes down to Hillary’s past. She was a great advocate for children and minorities in her early career. A long the way her husband became president and they formed the Clinton Foundation. Which as far as we know is corrupt. I’ve read a lot about the corruption that happened in Haiti after the earth quakes. She was Sec State, which she bombed at. We all heard about the pay to play. I don’t think she would’ve been able to win against anyone. Definitely not against any other regular politician from the GOP. Then there is the ridiculous ideas the Democrats try and push. No body wants to further the welfare and open border, Islamic apologist state. The NRA might have donated money, but that’s just one part of the process. It’s important, but it comes down to educated voters. Educated voters make all the difference especially when you have emotional arguments from the left.
She only lost because enough of her base were disgusted by her obvious corruption and lies. Much of her base supporters either stayed home of held their nose and voted for Trump
If she was a worthy candidate, she would have won in a landslide.
We ought to give this guns-left-in-cars issue some careful thought.
Handguns and long-guns are distinct issues. A stolen long-gun is unlikely to turn-out to be used in a crime. Almost all our effort out to be directed at dealing with handguns.
We ought to use the handguns-stolen-from-cars issue as an argument against GFZs. The Antis are promoting stealing guns by insisting on GFZs. They won’t change their policies but it will get the uncommitted to continue questioning the wisdom of GFZs.
Apart from a desire to avoid carrying in a GFZ, what is the argument for leaving a gun in your car? Shouldn’t we be striving to carry all-the-time rather than just carrying a gun in the car?
Supposing there is a justification for leaving a gun in the car, is a gun-safe bolted to the console worthwhile as a cost-vs-risk strategy? Supposing I have a $600 gun and a 50% lifetime probability of having my gun stolen from my car, wouldn’t it be worth-while investing in a $300 gun-safe?
Clearly, for a lot of people, the cost-vs-risk calculation isn’t compelling. If my gun costs only $400 and my lifetime probability is 25%, it’s a loosing proposition to invest $300 in a gun safe. Even so, there is another calculation to consider. The gun that killed Kate Steinle was stolen from a car. Had that been from a civilian’s gun there would have been a hue and cry from the hoplophobes about irresponsible gun-owners. We were luck it was a Federal employee.
There is some intangible value in adopting a good-practice of either carrying (vs. leaving in car) or locking the gun in a gun-safe when left in the car. If a gun owner concludes he has no viable option but to routinely leave his gun in his car perhaps he ought to consider incurring the expense of a gun-safe as his contribution to reducing aggregate risk of an incident that could make national news.
I hasten to add that the black-market for guns has reached the saturation point already, IMO. Any criminal or teen who wants a gun can already get a gun. We could just as well sell guns in hardware stores with no ID, no NICS and no 4473; nothing would change. Nevertheless, we live in a world of perceptions more so than reality (or my opinion about reality). A 20-yo thief might steal a gun from your car, give it to his 17-yo homie, who then uses it to kill his 7-yo sister. The serial number is traced to you, John Q Gunowner; and, the Associated Press distributes the story to the MSM across the country. “But for the fact that Mr. Gunowner left his Glock in his car, little Miss Victim would be going to 2nd grade class today.” We don’t need more of this.
What is the weight of this gun?
Myself, I feel that if your going to carry a moderately large gun, it might as well be a 9MM or larger caliber. Not all nines are hard to rack.
~$1000 MP5 with a threaded barrel… yes please! With a collapsible tailhook even better… Can’t wait. With the binary trigger for HK already available (at a ludicrously expensive price however) this will be one hell of a range gun. My 9mm upper runs fast on my Binary-equipped AR15 lower, so I can imagine it should be pretty close to a giggle gun.
This seems like a strange addition, moreso because they chose to market this using the Shield moniker.
If they had built this on the basic Shield platform, but chambered down to .380, I could see the appeal. It would still benefit by the lower power spring making it easier to rack, but would look much better. As is, it’s an ugly mess. And that accessory rail? The LACK of a rail was a big positive when I bought my Shield…
If you don’t have your own pistol you may have to wait for the rest of your life for the police to bring theirs.
Bought one awhile back on this same deal. Amazing trigger for this price. Just bought another one. You won’t be sorry.
I can’t decide which is worse, maybe getting a $1k jalopy from PSA in a year or paying $3800 for an HK that I might get in 18 months.
While we are all disappointed that a completely Republican-controlled Congress hasn’t sent the Republican President any meaningful legislation to advance Second Amendment rights, this isn’t Trump’s fault and it isn’t the NRA’s fault.
It is a bunch of namby-pamby Senators and Representatives who cringe behind the 60-vote nonsense to claim that they simply cannot get the HPA and other legislation passed. (Insert strong and insulting language describing the various flaws of that mindset here).
We’ve also seen crushing losses at the Supreme Court level where even despite the appointment of Justice Gorsuch, challenges to Maryland’s assault-weapons ban and other gun challenges were turned away without comment. This only emboldens gun-grabbers. Appointment of rational federal judges who respect all of the rights in the Constitution should be a huge priority as they have lasting effects on a more operational level. There are 146 vacancies at present with only 50 nominees pending (see here: http://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/judicial-vacancies ). Failure to appoint these judges right now will be a lost opportunity which will continue to damage the POTG for years if not decades.
The clock is running down. People have seen how little this Congress has accomplished with their majority and there is another election in November, only 9 months away. It is widely expected that the Dems will come roaring back as they have done in every state election that happened since Trump got elected. Nine months left. It’s enough to make an entirely new human being. Maybe the Republicans can grow a spine in enough time to get something done before they lose their majority.
I recently received a recommendation to follow GB Barrels on Facebook but know nothing about the company, its reputation or the people behind it. I am pretty sure that somebody here will be able to shed some light into this company.
Last week bought a Heritage Rough Rider. It worked great and fun to shoot. But four Mag casings would not come out of the Mag cylinder after they were shot, the 22LR worked fine out of that cylinder. I called Heritage service, and no questions asked they are sending me a new cylinder. They said it could be the ammo and should try another brand ( it was good CCI). The girl I spoke to on the phone was very helpful and pleasant.
Oh, I’m sure that this will sail right through committee and make it all the way to the Senate floor. Then, a day or two before it is to be voted on some mass shooting will occur somewhere and McConnell will table it because “it’s just not the right time” and that’s the last we’ll ever hear of it.
I’m not saying that this is a conspiracy, I’m just going off the pattern of literally every other pro-2A bill that has been proposed over the last year.
The FBI/ATF has to carry out things like Las Vegas to justify their existence somehow.
Wanting the government to go after Illegal aliens who rob, rape, and murder Americans? You racist, these people are trying to make a better life for themselves and they’re who make America great!
Wanting the government to do something about Islamic radicals? You islamaphobe, Islam is a religion of peace and how dare you let “a few bad apples” shape your worldview!
You are an American citizen who wants to exercise their rights, live your life and want the government to leave you alone? You’re a threat to national security, an anti-government, anti-American right wing extremist and society demands the government utterly destroy you without due process. And if you’re a gun owner you’re responible for the actions of a few bad people and the government is definitely coming after you.
The government has an agenda. They have they’re constituents. We as Americans aren’t it. We’re they’re enemy, and the Feds have proven that they will eagerly murder Americans citizens.
DoomGuy: I’m sorry, I simply can’t be as optimistic as you are.
WELL THEY CAN PLAY THEIR GAMES, AND I CAN PLAY MINE….. hopscotch, Jax, and Mumbly Peg my r favorites
If it’s because you’re advertising that you are a gun owner, cut the dude a little slack. There are plenty of people who advertise that on their cars or clothing, nothing wrong with that unless you are one of the anal types who think one needs to be discreet about that 100% of the time
I just bought a P99C AS on gunbroker new $369 $20 shipping. There were a few left. $30 transfer fee so all in all great deal. I have 8 15rd magnum research MR9 mags that work in it (same mag same mfg of mags)and I found the mag sleeves so I have 4 of them but they seem rare and the Walther rep said not making anymore as of right now not sure when or if ever again. There are a couple online dealers with them still.
To say the trigger is great is an understatement my MR9 has the same lower and same trigger and they both rock.
Spent some quality time at the range with my new BG 38 Revolver. Laser was right on. Consistent head shots at 25 feet offhand using iron sights with no Kentucky windage needed. Amazing for a snubbie. Went through a box of ammo with no discomfort and I’m no spring chicken so not sure what those complaints are about. I do agree that a laser on a snubbie is something of a waste but even with the iron sights this puppy will put metal on target at any distance I would expect to hit something.
Good on them. Although if the Obama admin was responsible for the reg, how difficult would it be to reverse?
my Uncle Had a 22 Target master I think it was, I thot grandpa’s Iver Johnson out shot it. My son’s gotta grandpa gimme model 10 Rem, it still shoots, I had an old 870 it was good , traded it for a 37 featherlite old model, I think I got burnt the 870 was better. I like my 7400 1986 manufatured. But these later production firearms are built cheap, I figured they lost it when they came out with that 710 , that sucker was junk. I always wanted an XB in 243 but their going to have to up their QC and materials. Speaking of .243 I’ve got a Mossberg 800B made in 68 that is better then most guns made now, and back in its time it was a second class firearm, everyone was 70Md Winchester or 700 Rems.