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Vehicle Gun Safes
8:05 pm|Concealed GunsGun SafesTactical Gear Review

Vehicle Gun Safes

Vehicle Gun Safes

If you don’t yet have a gun safe in your vehicle, you might want to consider getting one.

Part of responsible gun ownership is keeping your firearm out of the wrong hands.  The best way to do that outside the home is to carry it on your person.  Unfortunately, gun-free zones like schools and government buildings can be unavoidable, so occasions arise when you must leave your gun in the vehicle.  Using a lockbox ensures that you have taken reasonable caution to prevent unauthorized access to the firearm.

You may also need to cross jurisdictions where your firearm must be kept unloaded and inaccessible.  Although that doesn’t always mean “locked”, a lockbox makes it difficult for anyone to argue in court that the gun was easily accessed.  It also raises the bar on a vehicle search based on something that was “seen” since there is no way something can be seen when it’s in a locked box.

SnapSafe RV Gun Safe

Every safe or vehicle lockbox is a compromise between security, accessibility, cost, and size.  For me, I wanted space to lock up my firearm, with a box of ammo.  Occasionally, I may also put my wallet in there (if I’m at the beach, for example).  I’ve tried a couple of different safes and prefer the SnapSafe XL which measures 10″x7″x2″.  At around $50 it provides a decent level of security and is affordable for almost everyone.  It also comes with a cable that can be used to secure it to a seat or something else that is difficult to remove.  You only need to add a padlock for the complete installation. I’ve tried a couple of solutions and find that THIS safe provides a reasonable amount of security and space while still being small enough to conceal.  For less than $50 I think it’s a great solution.  Here’s an Amazon link if you want to check it out:

XL Automobile Gun Safe

 There are some pretty good reasons to spend $50 on one of these vehicle “safes”.
  1. It’s difficult to carry everything of value on your person, at all times.  Maybe you are going for a quick swim and don’t want to carry your wallet with you. Or you are just hanging around camp or a cookout and want a safe place to secure things from children.
  2. If you are someone who travels with a firearm in your RV, it is your responsibility to keep it out of the reach of unauthorized hands.  Even if you have a concealed carry permit, some places require that you leave your firearm in your vehicle.  One example is the visitor center inside a National Park.  Although the parks abide by local gun laws and you may be allowed to keep your firearm with you when outside, the restaurants and lodges do NOT (in every case that I’ve come across) allow firearms, concealed or otherwise.  In such cases, you need some method to secure it from unauthorized access.
  3. Safekeeping of critical medications, especially opiates (note: make sure the heat of the vehicle will not affect your medications).
  4. Storing “emergency” money.  Splitting your cash and cards between a couple of locations is a good practice in case you get robbed or lose your wallet while traveling.
A cable attaches to the lockbox and lets you get to it without having to unbolt it from the vehicle.

 

In my minivan, the rear seat mounting points make a strong anchor for the box. Note, the exposed screw is for the plastic trim, not the anchor.

 

How to anchor a vehicle gun safe

 

This safe provides a reasonable amount of space and is still small enough to conceal in the vehicle.  For under $40 it provides a very good level of security.  They also have a combination lock model if you prefer.  Just search SnapSafe on Amazon.  At the time of this writing, the SnapSafe box was rated 4.8 out of 5 by 2800 reviewers on Amazon.com.

Ruger gun safe

The Amazon link above is the best price I’ve found, with free shipping.  However, you can also find these at Bass Pro Shops for about $40 as of this date.  If you are not an Amazon Prime member (free shipping) Bass Pro is a good option.  If you do use my link, it won’t cost you any extra and I will get a few cents to keep this site running.

If you do choose to buy one at Bass Pro Shops, this is the box you are looking for.

 

Of course, if a thief has enough time, he can defeat any amount of security.  But for the casual smash and grab, or break-in, a burglar would have a tough time defeating this lockbox.  Unless he brought something to cut the cable (uncommon) or a set of lock picks (not something a criminal wants to be caught with), it is unlikely a thief would have time to open or steal the box.

 

A tight seal means it would be very difficult to get a prying device into the seam. Beneath the seam is a reinforced panel that serves two purposes. It keeps the two halves of the clamshell aligned and prevents a screwdriver from getting deep enough to do any damage.

This is one place where you can hide the box. Someone would need to be IN the vehicle to see it.Gun Safe for Automobiles

You can enhance the security of your lockbox by stashing it out of sight or covering it with a floor mat, or some rags.  An old pair of underwear also discourages searching 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here, the factory floor mat covers the box for enhanced security. You can see the lock hasp, but you’d need to know what you are looking for to think it was anything of consequence.

With this arrangement, I can slide the seat forward to gain access to the lockbox from the side door. When I’m leaning over, it would be hard for anyone to see what I am doing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fair amount of personal items can be stowed inside.  As an example…

cash safe for vehicle

Here, my bifold wallet fits neatly with an SR9c and two mags. The silver pin at the bottom is the cable attachment point. There is a reinforced plate to prevent it from coming out and to keep the clamshell aligned.
Ruger gun safe
In closing, I’d say that the SnapSafe vehicle lockbox represents extraordinary value for the money.  For $16 you get a way to secure your valuables that is easy for anyone to install and small enough to hide out of view.   Some type of safe is a must-have for every gun owner and this one has some excellent features for the money.So pick up one of these safes for every RV, truck, and car you own.  I promise you won’t regret it and if you do, Amazon has free returns!

If you click my Amazon link here, I’ll get a small commission and it won’t cost YOU a penny more!

–Hank

 

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