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Gun owners have different reasons why they carry a loaded weapon in their vehicle. Where you fall on this issue, we’re not here to tackle. But for those who do choose to do so, a gun safe is a smart option to prevent theft or an accidental discharge. Key Storage Locker
Gun safes designed for trucks accomplish several things. They provide relatively fast access to their firearm while simultaneously keeping it out of reach or harm from passengers. In the event of a vehicle crash, it prevents a loose gun from discharging. There are many different types of vehicle gun safes, from traditional lockboxes to ones with digital locks and RFID tags to limit who can access them. There are even biometric locks with fingerprint scanners. Depending on the style of safe and how advanced the locking mechanism is, the price can vary widely.
The following list should only be taken as general product recommendations. Forbes Wheels does not recommend or imply any usage or advice that may be unlawful for your specific situation. Using a gun safe requires that you follow all local and state laws that govern weapons, ammunition, permitting, carrying, transporting, and leaving a gun in a vehicle. Looking For Car Accessories? Match your car to your style with varied car accessories like seat covers, floor mats and more. Get competitive pricing from top brands here. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Explore Options On Amazon
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Pry resistant door, gas strut, LED lighting
ONNAIS IRON SE Biometric Gun Safe
ONNAIS IRON SE Biometric Gun Safe
Best Basic Vehicle Gun Safe
Best Basic Vehicle Gun Safe
The SnapSafe Treklite is a prime example of your straightforward gun safe, and it’s reflected in the affordable price. Despite that low price, it provides some serious features. The polycarbonate construction is impact-resistant, and the design is slim enough that it can fit under a car seat, and it comes equipped with a 1,500-pound security cable to tether it to the vehicle.
Access to the contents of the save is provided by a manual four-digit combination lock. The construction and locking fidelity comply with TSA airline firearms guidelines. What that means is that it can theoretically be stowed in checked baggage (where allowed).
Best Keyed Vehicle Gun Safe
Best Keyed Vehicle Gun Safe
Here’s another example of a straightforward firearm safe at an affordable price, but with some additional capability. The Bulldog BD 1150 has a durable steel case and a simple key lock, which some owners prefer. The minimalist construction keeps the price low, without sacrificing quality. Unlike the Treklite, the BD 1150 is designed with a mounting bracket and a 3-inch security cable, providing multiple options for placement in the vehicle. Some owners cite issues with ease-of-use and the size of the mounting bracket.
Best Digital Combination Vehicle Gun Safe
Best Digital Combination Vehicle Gun Safe
While more expensive than the previous two options, the features and capabilities of the Sentry Safe QAP2EL gun safe certainly justify its price. First off, it is designed to hold two handguns, or a single handgun plus spare ammunition. The combination operation for this is a digital keypad. Once unlocked, the integrated gas strut ensures the lid opens quietly and instantaneously. With the lid open, a blue LED interior light activates, providing low-visibility illumination. This product is also certified by the California Department of Justice.
Best RFID Vehicle Gun Safe
Best RFID Vehicle Gun Safe
A growing practice among gun owners is the use of RFID gun safes. These devices allow the owner to have a wearable piece of technology that often fits in a bracelet and that is required to open the safe, as is the case with the Hornady RAPiD Vehicle Safe. This is a high-tech solution that answers the concerns about locking safes being harder to access in an emergency.
If you ever lose the transponder or if another person needs to access the safe, it can also be opened with a provided barrel key. It has a slim design that allows for different mounting options, and it includes a 1,500-pound cable tether. Power comes from either a 12V outlet or four AAA batteries.
Best Biometric Vehicle Gun Safe
Best Biometric Vehicle Gun Safe
Biometrics go a step further than RFID technology, as the sensor bracelet itself could be lost, damaged, or stolen. The Valuetek Barikade Series 2 features a touch-sensitive pad that reads only authorized fingerprints in order to access the safe. The 9V battery power source is claimed to power the Barikade for up to a year. This safe is large enough to hold one larger handgun or two compact handguns. If you carry additional valuables, this product also has an inner lid organizer. The Barikade can be mounted to the floor and/or secured by a tether cable.
In order to determine the best vehicle gun safes, we looked at reputable manufacturers that build the most secure locking mechanisms and storage options to handle a variety of handguns. Since an unsecured gun is an easy theft that can endanger lives, a proper gun safe is absolutely necessary if you must carry a handgun.
We evaluate all vehicle gun safes based on these weighted metrics:
Yes. Local and state laws may determine where exactly a gun safe can be placed. Where it is legal, a gun safe can be permanently mounted in the vehicle or attached to a rail system that allows it to be removed.
Prices vary depending on the style and complexity of the locking mechanism. Basic safes can cost as low as $40, and the more advanced biometric and RFID safes can cost more than $200.
You’ll have to check with state and local laws to determine if it is legal to do so. Even in states where it is allowed, putting a firearm in your glove box will not secure it completely. Some vehicles, such as Jeeps, have locking glove boxes and center consoles. Even so, the simple locks on vehicle gloveboxes don’t inspire confidence, and if you’re going to carry a firearm in your vehicle, a dedicated safe is a better choice for safety and security.
Some may suggest placing a gun safe in an anchored are in the trunk of the vehicle to prevent theft, but many (most) gun owners would prefer easier access, such as the side of the center console.
The safest way to travel with a firearm is in a specifically designed gun safe. It should have a lock—keyed, combination, RFID or biometric are the best methods. Many vehicle gun safe manufacturers further advise only storing the gun unloaded.
A car-crazy California kid, I’ve been writing and talking about vehicles for 25 years on TV and radio, in print and online, including AAA magazines in Arizona, Oklahoma, Northwest Ohio, South Dakota and the Mountain West, as well as BBC Autos. I serve as vice president of the Western Automotive Journalists, a professional group for automotive writers based in San Francisco, and have no relation to McKeel Hagerty of Hagerty Classic Insurance, who is younger, better looking and wealthier.
Key Cabinet With Card Reader George Kennedy has reviewed cars and provided car advice for outlets such as Consumer Reports, CarGurus, U.S. News & World Report, the Boston Globe, AutoBlog and others. He is the managing editor for UpShift, the official publication of the Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. George has owned multiple future-classics before they were collectible, including a 1986 Toyota 4Runner, an XJ Jeep Cherokee and a two-door Chevy Tahoe.