In the United States, you have the right to bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Consequently, you might feel inclined to keep a handgun in your car or a “truck gun” in your vehicle for protection. However, an unattended firearm in your car is a safety concern, as criminals can steal it and use it in a violent crime. In fact, thieves steal handguns and truck guns more often than you think.

Your truck guns or the handguns in your car could be a target for criminals, especially if advertised

Every nine minutes. A criminal reportedly steals a gun from a car every nine minutes in the United States. It’s a sobering statistic. According to AP News, criminals are stealing firearms like concealed handguns and truck guns out of vehicles three times as much as they did 10 years ago. 

The firearms that criminals steal out of cars are the “largest source of stolen guns,” per Everytown Research & Policy. Of course, it is important to note that Everytown Research & Policy has a “gun safety” agenda. This includes pushes to change how Americans can purchase, store, and carry guns.

However, there are a few things you can do to secure your firearms. For starters, leaving a truck gun or handgun in your vehicle while unattended is inviting the risk of theft. It’s prudent to take your firearm with you when you park your vehicle. 

Furthermore, advertising your affinity for brands and organizations can signal that you might have a gun in your car. Go ahead. Talk to your friends about how much you dig SIG. But you should resist the urge to wallpaper your truck with your favorite gun decals.  

Now, dear reader, I have quite a bit of experience with firearms. I’ve held several jobs where carrying a gun is a necessity if not a core part of the work. In that time, I’ve seen some suspect firearm safety practices. But I did also learn to respect guns and their destructive potential. Incidentally, every gun owner must keep tabs on their weapons.