If you have a fire arm and you have a car as your means of transport then you need to have your fire arm stored properly. Whether you want to take your gun to the firing range, go for a hunting mission or use it for self-defense while driving, an automobile gun safe is a perfect way of storing your gun while in the car. In this article, let’s discuss the different aspects of automobile gun safe including the types, advantages, and legal aspects of transporting guns in a car.
What is an Automobile Gun Safe?
Car gun safes are storage units that are small and are designed to store a gun inside a car. It is a secured compartment which provides a locked space for keeping your gun when you are driving to ensure that the gun is not stolen or used by an unauthorized person such as a child or someone who is not allowed to operate the gun.
When choosing an automobile gun safe, one should be sure to pick one that will help meet ones security needs as well as the laws of the land. There are various types of gun safes which are different in terms of locking systems, size, and mounting and therefore available for selection according to the vehicle and the user’s needs.
Why Should You Use an Automobile Gun Safe?
Carrying a firearm in a vehicle is not something that should be done carelessly especially if you are on the road for some time. Here are some key reasons why it is therefore important to make an investment on an automobile gun safe:Here are some key reasons why it is therefore important to make an investment on an automobile gun safe:
- Prevents Unauthorized Access: Such products are manufactured with the aim of preventing people who are not allowed to have the firearm such as children or criminals from getting it from your car.
- Reduces Risk of Theft: This is because when using a gun safe, the chances of a thief getting into your car and taking your weapon are greatly reduced.
- Meets Legal Requirements: Some of the states have laws that touch on the manner in which a firearm should be carried in a car. An automobile gun safe can be very useful in meeting such legal requirements which may include the need to ensure that firearms are not carried loose in a vehicle and should be unloaded.
- Protection Against Damage: This is because when storing a firearm, it is not exposed to conditions such as humidity, extreme temperatures or rough handling that may occur when in transit in an unsafe.
- Peace of Mind: When you are on the road especially when in new or risky regions having a gun and being sure that it is well protected gives a great sense of comfort.
Types of Automobile Gun Safes
When it comes to choosing the appropriate automobile gun safe, there are several types that you can choose from and they come with different features that may suit your needs on security, convenience and accessibility.
1. Biometric Gun Safes
The biometric automobile gun safes employ fingerprint recognition system through which the safe can be unlocked. This is because it allows you to easily get to your firearm when in danger while at the same time only allowing those permitted to unlock the safe. These are safe and easy to use, but they have their downsides such as the fact that they need batteries and may at times get faulty if not well maintained.
Pros:
- Proximity using fingerprint scan.
- High level of security.
- There are no combination to forget or keys to carry around.
Cons:
- It has to have the batteries replaced on a rather consistent basis.
- Some models may need to be reset from time to time in order to provide accurate results.
2. Electronic Gun Safes
Most of the modern electric car gun safes have a keypad which requires the user to type a code to unlock the safe. Most of the models available in the market have backup keys in case the electrical part of the lock fails, thus allowing the user to use the gun whenever he or she wants to.
Pros:
- Quick way of reaching for your firearm
- You can set as many PIN codes as you want
- Some of the models also have a backup key feature
Cons:
- Depends on the battery
- It is also susceptible to malfunctions if not well maintained
3. Keyed Gun Safes
The keyed automobile gun safes are the common types of safe which integrate the use of a key to open the compartment. However, these safes can be easier to use and less expensive as compared to biometric or electronic safes but they can be less secure since a criminal can try to break into the safe or get the key.
Pros:
- Simple and reliable
- Cost-effective
- No need for batteries or electronics
Cons:
- Not as safe if a thief gets a hold of the key,
- Also, the time taken to unlock is much longer than in the biometric or the electronic models.
4. Tough Box/Storage-Style Safes
Storage style safe or tough box are larger, more bulky styles of safes that can accommodate several guns, ammunition or other items. Such safes are usually fixed at the back of the vehicle either at the boot or at the back seat in order to enhance the security of the items kept inside while at the same time compromising on space.
Pros:
- Provides space to store several guns and other valuables
- It is built to be tough
- Very secure
Cons:
- Takes a lot of space in the car
- May be costly
5. Under-Seat Gun Safes
Under-car floor car gun safes are installed under the driver or passenger seat of a car to ensure that the gun is within arm’s reach yet not easily visible and always kept safe. These safes are perfect for those who require fast access when on the move but at the same time, they do not want to expose the safe.
Pros:
- Discreet and space efficient
- Provision for quick use while seated in the vehicle
- Rather cheap
Cons:
- Low storage space
- May not be compatible with all the models of the car.
Features to Consider When Choosing an Automobile Gun Safe
To choose the right automobile gun safe one has to take into account certain factors such as needs and wants. Below are some of the most important factors that you should consider before making your purchase;
1. Size and Capacity: When choosing a safe for your car, you should also think about the size of your firearm and if you plan on storing other things like multiple guns, ammunition or even other valuables. Choose a safe that will easily fit in your car and at the same time offer enough space for storage.
2. Security Features: When searching for safes make sure that they have features which cannot be easily tampered with like thick steel walls and locking mechanisms, and designs that cannot be easily preyed open. This helps in ensuring that the safe cannot be easily tampered with or forced opened in order to steal the contents inside.
3. Accessibility: Consider how often you will require reaching for your gun and how fast you want to do so. Keyed safes are known to take more time as compared to the biometric and the electronic safes.
4. Mounting Options: Consider where you want to keep the safe in your vehicle. Most of the safes available in the market have brackets for fixing the unit properly whether you want to keep it under the seat, in the trunk or in the glove compartment.
5. Durability: Since the safe will be installed in your vehicle it will be subject to temperature changes vibrations and even shocks hence you should ensure that you get one that is built using durable materials.
Legal Considerations for Storing Firearms in Your Car
One should first of all understand the legal requirements of transporting firearms in vehicles before buying an automobile gun safe and using it. Here are some general guidelines:Here are some general guidelines:
- Unloaded Firearms: Copy As we said before, Copy in the majority of states, people are not allowed to carry firearms in their cars unless the firearms are unloaded. This means that if you have a firearm it should not be easily accessible when you are driving due to being stored in a secure safe.
- Locked Storage: There are numerous conventions that specify that guns should be kept in a locked case particularly if you are in the region that has strict rules regarding the concealment of a firearm. The following are some of the ways through which you can meet these conditions:An automobile gun safe can help you comply with these regulations.
- Concealed Carry Permits: If you have a concealed carry permit, the rules on firearm storage may be more lenient and you may be allowed to store the firearm in a less secure manner, but it is still important that the firearm is stored safely and not in plain view when it is not being used.
- Cross-State Travel: In case you are planning to move from one state to another, ensure that you understand the laws of the states you will be passing through. There are certain rules that define the transportation of firearms from one state to another and if you violate such rules, you may be arrested and prosecuted.
Where to Buy an Automobile Gun Safe
When searching for an automobile gun safe you have a few options. There are websites that deal with the sale of firearm safes and you can also get them in stores that deal with firearms. outdoor Here goods or are some popular places to consider:
- Amazon: Amazon has a number of automobile gun safes in different sizes, levels of security and with customer reviews to choose from.
- Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops: These stores have firearm accessories such as automobile gun safes and you will be able to get models that are suitable for use in vehicles.
- Gun Safe Manufacturers: Some of the top brands that are known to produce high quality gun safes include Fort Knox, GunVault, and Vaultek and these companies offer vehicle specific models that are known to be very secure and easy to use.
- Local Gun Shops: Your local firearms dealer might have automobile gun safes in stock or can order one for you.
Conclusion
Car gun safe is a necessity if you own a gun and frequently use your car. It not only serves as a place to store your weapon but also helps in adhering to the legal requirements and preventing the weapon from being stolen or used by anyone other than you. When it comes to choosing an automobile gun safe, there are several factors that one should consider such as the size, the level of security that it offers, the manner of mounting, and the durability of the product to ensure that it best suits their needs.
Using a car gun safe is a great way of ensuring that your firearm is well protected when you are driving. There are many products available in the market and each one offers the best way of transporting firearms safely and with due caution.
