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I'm taking my CHL class tomorrow, and plan to start carrying my pistol more often.
My employer doesn't allow weapons in the building; therefore, whenever I have my pistol, it will remain in my car in the parking lot.
I drive a fairly bland car that doesn't go boom with stock rims. The only sticker on it is for the neighborhood boat launch.
My question is whether it's better to keep my pistol in the glove compartment locked or utilize a lock box with steel cable attached to the seat frame.
My thought process is that anybody who might break into my car would most likely check the glove compartment. If I were breaking into a car, and the glove compartment were locked, I'd believe that there was either a radar detector, gps unit or gun locked away. I'd also believe that it wouldn't take more than a few good kicks or a screwdriver to have my glove compartment opened in 10 to 15 seconds. (I won't be testing this).
With a cabled lock box, yes it can be opened, or pulled out, but I'm guessing that it would take much more time or better tools (which could include something like a brick) to get to the gun.
Opinions?
BTW, I did order a cabled lock box which will be here today, but I'm second guessing my opinion that it might be the best option.
Second vote for lock box, second agreement that a glove box can be popped open very quickly, in a matter of seconds with a screwdriver (and it's the first place a bad guy will look).
A cable lock box can be opened indeed, but it takes a lot of time and some tools to do it. Most crooks don't have the patience and/or don't carry a four-foot long bolt cutter with them (it helps also if the lock box is secured under the seat, to the car frame, where they can't position the bolt cutter either).
My vote is to leave the gun at home in a gun safe. Both of the above methods are good ways of assuring that a handgun gets into the hands of a criminal.
I'm going to go the other direction from nealrm. I say bring it in to work, unless you work for the government or there are any actual laws (not company policies) that you would be breaking. Concealed is concealed. If you do what you're supposed to do as a concealed carry permit holder, the boss will never know you have it, and you won't be defenseless if that disgruntled employee that got fired a few months ago shows up for revenge.
I'm going to go the other direction from nealrm. I say bring it in to work, unless you work for the government or there are any actual laws (not company policies) that you would be breaking. Concealed is concealed. If you do what you're supposed to do as a concealed carry permit holder, the boss will never know you have it, and you won't be defenseless if that disgruntled employee that got fired a few months ago shows up for revenge.
Problem with that other side is, that its likely a gross violation of company policy and could lead to summary termination when discovered (it's not a matter of if it's a matter of when).
You might have grounds to sue, but when you're out of a job, you committed a gross violation of your previous companies policy making alternative employment difficult, and you're suing someone who has far more financial clout than you do (you're employed by that company, you don't own it), your chances are somewhere between fat, and a snowball in hell, the companies property is private property, they have the right to set any conditions of entry they desire.
If you're working for a company with a "no guns" policy, the options are simple, abide by the policy, or work elsewhere.
Meanwhile both options (glove box, or lock box) are not ideal, if the car is stolen, both also implicitly steal the gun too, and for most cars it's quicker and easier to steal the whole thing, than even mess with the glove box. If you're going with a lock box which is the better solution, then might I recommend not putting it in the trunk? It's the obvious place, and having a lockbox in the trunk guarantees that anyone trying to steal from you is going to open it (or try to). Put it under the front seat or something, so it can be mistaken for some electronics box, ideally weld it to the floor.
Doesn't really help you with your question, but make sure to keep copies of the serial numbers in a few different places in case the gun(s) does happen to get stolen.
Considering what Gugnir said - if you work somewhere that has a no guns policy, you feel like you really want to pack on the trip there, and you are worried about someone breaking in to your ride while it's in the company parking lot - seems to me you are overdue to look for a better place to work!
My vote is to leave the gun at home in a gun safe. Both of the above methods are good ways of assuring that a handgun gets into the hands of a criminal.
He will be getting a concealed carry permit and, usually, will be carrying a weapon on his person. But, there are occurances where him and myself cannot carry a weapon - court houses, post offices, etc. They are relatively rare, so I have the car safe to handle those rare events.
Now in the OP's case, it might be argued that he is going to work everyday and cannot carry, so it's not a rare event for him. A valid question which may also be dependent on the amount of security exists in the employee parking lot. Still, he may be doing chores before or after work where he will wish to carry his weapon.
It's ironic however that "no guns allowed" restrictions actually may contribute to providing guns to the criminal elements.
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