Opinion on leaving a pistol in a car for a week?

[YooperRob]

I am going on a cruise and will be traleling across the country to get to the departure port. I would like to take my carry gun with me for the trip to and from the ship but am worried about leaving it in a parking lot for the week I will be gone. I worry about it being stolen and used by a BG. I know alot of you will right off say if you have it you should carry it but I am concerned.

Thoughts?

 

[Blacksheardad]

Maybe

The only way I would leave it is if it was a very secure parking lot and with my firearm in a non removable safe. preferably in the trunk. Be safe.

 

[MI .45]

Is there a reason that you can't take it on the ship?
Is the ship company's parking lot reasonably secure (i.e. fenced with limited ingress/egress) with good lighting, people coming and going, or some sort of security? My first choice would be to not to leave a firearm in a car for any extended period of time but a large lot and reasonable precautions against wholesale car theft or break-ins would be fairly safe in my opinion. I'd lock the firearm in the most obscure place you can in the trunk and disable the in-car trunk release - park as close to lights and where it is easily seen and I think you'll be fine. The odds that your car would be stolen or suffer a break-in is relatively low and unless it's taken and stripped for parts the gun being discovered would even then be unlikely if well hidden.
I agree with you that your highest degree of exposure to personal danger is on the road trip.
Good Luck...

 

[GB-Boater]

See if one of the local gun dealers could keep it in their safe for a week.
I wouldn't leave it in the car.

 

[robstid]

I wouldn't leave it in the car, that would be on my mind for the whole cruise, therefore ruining my vacation. Just my. 02

 

[gunnerbob]

I keep a pistol locked in the center console, been there for about three years... taken out every now and again to shoot and clean. However, this is when it's parked in my driveway or when at a family members house... I'd be iffy leaving it in a parking lot I don't frequent somewhere for a week. Maybe the trunk or toolbox, depending what you drive.

 

[tricolordad]

Is there a reason that you can't take it on the ship?

There's no law prohibiting the possession of firearms in international waters, but if your cruise ship makes port in say...England, you are going to be in trouble. My SIL took her honeymoon cruise on Apr 13 (yeah yeah Friday the 13th, titanic all that lol) and her husband had to leave his with his dad. (Their luggage was scanned and they found the glock and told him leave it or get off.)

No idea which cruise line they used.

Never leave it in a car. The gun dealer idea might be a very good one. Put your own lock on it though.

 

[YooperRob]

There's no law prohibiting the possession of firearms in international waters, but if your cruise ship makes port in say...England, you are going to be in trouble. My SIL took her honeymoon cruise on Apr 13 (yeah yeah Friday the 13th, titanic all that lol) and her husband had to leave his with his dad. (Their luggage was scanned and they found the glock and told him leave it or get off.)

No idea which cruise line they used.

Never leave it in a car. The gun dealer idea might be a very good one. Put your own lock on it though.

Carnival Lines = No Weapons. It says lighted, secure, patroled parking......

 

[tricolordad]

Carnival Lines = No Weapons. It says lighted, secure, patroled parking......

There's probably also a sign that says they aren't responsible for theft too.

 

[JCliff]

I would not leave it in my vehicle for that long unless I was parking inside a locked garage of a personal acquaintance I knew and trusted. You are responsible for that firearm. The suggestion to check it with a local gun dealer is a good one, a local hotel may be able to lock it in their safe also. Expect to pay for this service.

 

[Jardbud]

No way I would leave it in my vehicle that long. I would worry the entire time I was gone.

 

[Couzin]

Can't take it on any of the US port cruise and returns. FWIW - I keep a Keltec P3AT when we are cruising - I just bury it deep in the vehicle (easily hidden) and hope for the best. Cheap and easily replaced - just have the serial number available.

 

[DocKUSNR]

Do not leave your gun in a car. I was very fortunate to get 1 of my Colt Diamondbacks return to me from Canada so take some advice from someone who knows leave it at home!

 

[concealedinla]

Nope.....don't leave mine in my vehicle overnight kn my driveway!

 

[Berta]

I have been on several Carnival cruises and have always left my carry gun locked in the car in their parking lots. I drive 600+ miles through three states to get to the port so I'm not leaving my gun at home. I have a small portable gun safe that I hide and then lock in the car.