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Gun Theft Warning - Vehicle thefts

7399 Views 114 Replies 58 Participants Last post by Sol-Invictus, 4 d ago

weatom

Discussion Starter · Apr 10, 2022

Saw a spot on local news this morning discussing illegal and stolen guns. Apparently the vast
majority of the daily shootings in my town are using illegal (whatever that means) or stolen guns.

They went on to say most guns are stolen from businesses or vehicles. As for the vehicles
thieves target, vehicles with some type of gun related sticker or political emblems were
the #1 target. NRA, Trump, Sig, or anything gun or politics related.

Sure enough the reporter randomly stopped a few trucks in the parking lot. One had a "thin
blue line" sticker, the other NRA. Both guys said yes they had a gun on board, and neither had
safe in their truck.

I think it's a BIG stretch to make a correlation between logos or stickers and gun thefts,
but it does make sense to an extent.

They also talked about using safes in your vehicle, but that's a tough option to sell. Most safes
are easily removed and the one's that aren't almost have to be custom installed. Not to mention
thieves is the big city come prepared. Sledge hammers and pry bars are their "tools".

Reactions: 5

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sigfan327

· #2 · Apr 10, 2022

Not surprising IMO. I'm a fan of no advertising. When I raced dirt bikes for 20 years we had a plain white trailer with no indication of contents. Over the years there were a couple trailers stolen and they were all decked out like a factory race teams advertising that they had really expensive motorcycles inside.

I keep in my car in a Console Vault. Yeah after they steal my car they can eventually get into the console but it at least provides some security for the casual thief.

Reactions: 5

Hammer

· #3 · Apr 10, 2022

weatom said:
I think it's a BIG stretch to make a correlation between logos or stickers and gun thefts,
but it does make sense to an extent.

I don't think it's a big stretch at all.

Reactions: 5

Harry_Gorilla

· #4 · Apr 10, 2022

I never have decals on my vehicle. It is well known - and should be obvious - that if you have firearm related decals on your vehicle; you're advertising. A thief isn't going to break into a Volkswagen Bug with a sunflower decal looking for a gun, are they?

Reactions: 5

24/7/365

· #5 · Apr 10, 2022 (Edited)

sigfan327 said:
Not surprising IMO. I'm a fan of no advertising. When I raced dirt bikes for 20 years we had a plain white trailer with no indication of contents. Over the years there were a couple trailers stolen and they were all decked out like a factory race teams advertising that they had really expensive motorcycles inside.

I keep in my car in a Console Vault. Yeah after they steal my car they can eventually get into the console but it at least provides some security for the casual thief.

Console vaults in all my cars/trucks.
Snap safe for rental cars and hotel rooms without safes.
Walk away theft is all you can prepare for, as a determined thief will eventually win.
I avoid gun/political stickers/clothing as I subscribe to the gray man approach in public.
No need to give away your advantage or invite attention when carrying...

Reactions: 5

weatom

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 10, 2022

Hammer said:
I don't think it's a big stretch at all.

I agree, I just didn't state it right. I was just saying thieves break into your car for any number of reasons,
not just stickers. I had my truck window mashed and door lock broken out by thieves a few years ago
for no apparent reason at all. Nothing to steal, except for the $1000.00 I had to spend to have it fixed.

But yes, as several have said no markings at all is the way to go. I've never been a sticker guy anyway
but for slightly different reasons. I've always figured whatever your sticker says, you're unwittingly
advertising something. Reminds me of the cute dad, kids and dog back window "family stickers" that
were so popular. The police finally said, "uh you realize you're advertising how many kids you have.".
Their point was, pedophiles may be paying attention.

Reactions: 4

Hollow Point

· #7 · Apr 10, 2022

I have never been one to put stickers of any type on my vehicles. Don't believe in advertising and calling attention to my vehicles for good, bad or otherwise

Have a buddy of mine that had his truck broken into 3 different times and places. Told him it was because of his NRA and other various gun/weapons stickers in the back window. He removed all the stickers and no further break ins.

Reactions: 5

hotajax

· #8 · Apr 10, 2022 (Edited)

Hammer said:
I don't think it's a big stretch at all.

Gun company stickers may even be an invitation to search a vehicle in a state that really hassles people over handgun possession. Like my neighboring state of the People's Republic of New Jersey, where the sell-out cops making over $120,000, gladly go along with not upholding your constitutional right to gun ownership. Their favorite quote is, "Who's Miranda?"

Reactions: 5

DetroitMike

· #9 · Apr 10, 2022

I have The American Flag, The USMC Emblem, and University Parking Sticker on my Truck
I guess to some people that will get them upset.
Not sure that is an invite or notification, I have a Gun Safe bolted under a seat.
Strange dichotomy, have to put guns away, to head into public government buildings, malls, and schools, etc…
I would guess the car theft / break in rate is highest around them. It is like a ad, victims, inside guns in glove box.

Reactions: 1

strikerfire

· #10 · Apr 10, 2022

What is a good vehicle gun safe? Any that do not require drilling through the floor pan?

Kalei

· #11 · Apr 10, 2022

strikerfire said:
What is a good vehicle gun safe? Any that do not require drilling through the floor pan?

I keep a Vaultek in my car for the few occasions I go somewhere I can't carry. It comes with a steel cable that I wrap under the seat and attaches inside the lock box.

As fornthe stickers thing, yeah I with others on it. I don't advertise what I may or may not have on me/my car/my house. If they do break into my car/house, they'll learn the hard way what I have.

Reactions: 2

ijacek

· #12 · Apr 10, 2022

A majority of vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Nowadays, and this trend has remained unchanged for a while, the thieves will bring hoodies, hats, face masks, and gloves. Rarely, during nighttime burglaries will they break the windows. Besides, they don't have to, a lot of people, still leave their cars unlocked with guns in either the center console or unlocked glove box for the night. In some cases, the "victims" will rely on the auto-lock or remote keys for securing their stuff, without physically making sure that it is locked. Personally, I don't think it's a hard concept to grasp: lock your 5hit and don't leave guns in the car!

Reactions: 5

GoneBallisticInAlabama

· #13 · Apr 10, 2022

We had someone going around neighborhoods, dropping off his kid, who would smash out a car window, crawl inside to grab whatever he could find, and the father would drive back and pick the kid up. My wife's car was broken into in our driveway.

Once upon a time, I would proudly display the NRA sticker in my car window, but not for a long time now. Not just to reduce my profile to thieves but to anti-gun/anti-NRA people who might vandalize my vehicle. I also never display stickers for political candidates for the same reason.

Reactions: 5

Navy87guy

· #14 · Apr 10, 2022

Most people are more than willing to advertise their entire life on their vehicle: how many kids they have, what schools they go to, what kind of dog, hey own political leanings, favorite brand of firearms. That’s great intel for any serious criminal who wants to target someone. Less is better when it comes to enabling the bad guys.

There’s no such thing as a guaranteed safe storage methods - some are just less secure than others. I suspect the vast majority of crooks are just opportunistic…but if someone wants to come seriously prepared, they will get into whatever storage device you have. Making it easy for the majority of criminals by leaving a weapon unlocked in a console or glove compartment is just plain negligence.

Reactions: 5

phlyers13

· #15 · Apr 10, 2022

stupid is as stupid does

hotajax

· #16 · Apr 10, 2022

Did you see the video of the punk breaking into a car and have a flash bang go off while he was sticking his body through the broken window? It was funny as hell, but the owner was charged with a crime involving bombs. The incident was last week.

edcknives

· #17 · Apr 10, 2022

GoneBallisticInAlabama said:
We had someone going around neighborhoods, dropping off his kid, who would smash out a car window, crawl inside to grab whatever he could find, and the father would drive back and pick the kid up. My wife's car was broken into in our driveway.

Once upon a time, I would proudly display the NRA sticker in my car window, but not for a long time now. Not just to reduce my profile to thieves but to anti-gun/anti-NRA people who might vandalize my vehicle. I also never display stickers for political candidates for the same reason.

I'd be ashamed to have an NRA sticker anymore, GOA sticker yes but supporting a bottom feeder like Wayne, no way. No stickers for me and a console safe. Living in the North East is CF to travel in, everything changes in very short distances with laws and regs.

Reactions: 5

7.62Kolectr

· #18 · Apr 10, 2022

Put a Biden sticker and a rainbow on your car. Problem solved 😎

Reactions: 5

MoRivera

· #19 · Apr 10, 2022

hotajax said:
Did you see the video of the punk breaking into a car and have a flash bang go off while he was sticking his body through the broken window? It was funny as hell, but the owner was charged with a crime involving bombs. The incident was last week.

www.wdsu.com

Metairie man rigs flash bang in truck to deter break-ins

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, said he is tired of his truck getting broken into.

www.wdsu.com

Reactions: 3

Navy87guy

· #20 · Apr 10, 2022

7.62Kolectr said:
Put a Biden sticker and a rainbow on your car. Problem solved 😎

That's actually brilliant…since we know the “tolerant” left are the ones most likely to strike out!

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