Firearm storage in a SUV

[Jimi Jah]

I have a locking steel vault under my driver's seat in the Jeep Wrangler. Either a S&W shield or a SA 1911 live in it.

[onelonehorseman]

No need to build. Use a truckvault. Find the appropriate size. I have a drawer you can look (I have tons, actually) but measure out your size.

^ although they can be pricey (for one large enough to store rifles) they may be a good investment if you plan to travel with your guns often. A sturdy locking vault gives more peace-of-mind when traveling.

[BB-AR]

I may be wrong but I am under the impression that you don’t need to lock up non aw long guns, that you could have them hanging in a gun rack in your back window as long as they are unloaded. Now I wouldn’t because I don’t need everyone knowing I have firearms and I’d probably get pulled over every few miles because people see guns. I’m in the same boat as the op my jeep doesn’t have a trunk and when I go to the range I lock up the handguns but I just toss the rifles in the back.

[navin r]

OP imho you need some sort of suv safe, I think Tuffy makes some and also Truck Vault. Even if it's legal to have long guns unloaded in a vehicle, I personally wouldn't travel hundreds of miles like that, it only takes half a minute for someone to smash a window and haul away lots of valuable stuff.

[Divernhunter]

BB-AR--You are wrong.
When I was younger that was legal. We even brought them to school so we could hunt after school. This was before Calif turned completely libtard stupid. Another point is we did not have the trouble that now seems to be so common either. It was a different(and better) mindset then.
Now long guns(rifle/shotguns) must be in a gun case that only needs to be locked if within 1000 Feet or Yards(I forgot which) of a school. IF they are in another type of case like a golf bag then it must be locked always when traveling in this wonderful state of Caif.

[003]

https://www.facebook.com/TruckVault

I have a GMC Denali and have installed a "truck vault". Very pleased.

[wcoastpi]

I have one of these as well. Took the place of my center console storage area and still uses the console lid to keep it out of view.

You can order with key lock, combo lock or electronic - very nice. Easy install.

[Cokebottle]

Consolevaults are really nice, but not available for smaller vehicles.
The Rav4 isn't huge... not much bigger than the Corolla, but they make one for the '13 and up Rav but not the Corolla.

[code_blue]

Just remember that anything considered as a CA AW requires locking and has destination requirements. Your registered (if you did) BBRAW's fall into this category. Featureless and new maglocked or fixed mag does not.

Since you cross state lines, you'll have to figure out their laws as well.

If you want to avoid plain-view questions, cover them as mentioned.

[Blade Gunner]

I have one of these as well. Took the place of my center console storage area and still uses the console lid to keep it out of view.

You can order with key lock, combo lock or electronic - very nice. Easy install.

[Eureka1911]

Handguns can be in just about anything that you can lock. Pistol rug, Pelican case, mobil vault, even a briefcase that can be locked. Loaded magazines can be in the case, but not in the gun.

The CHP FAQ has a good summary:

If you wish to transport a handgun during your California visit, it should be carried unloaded in a locked container. In the absence of a suitable container, you may secure the unloaded handgun in the locked trunk of a passenger car. Ammunition may be kept in the same container or trunk, but the handgun must remain unloaded with no rounds in the cylinder and no loaded magazines in the magazine well.

https://www.chp.ca.gov/home/faq#33901110-6d6a-4ebc-83a8-9924f97d9166=%7B%22k%22%3A%22weapon%22%7D#Default=%7B%22k%22%3A%22%22%7D

[Maltese Falcon]

http://www.truckvault.com/sub/Chevrolet/Suburban/

.

[CalNRA]

Consolevaults are really nice, but not available for smaller vehicles.
The Rav4 isn't huge... not much bigger than the Corolla, but they make one for the '13 and up Rav but not the Corolla.

it probably has to do with the flatter floor of the Rav4 that allows more height. The same area on a Corolla has a much higher raised hump so the consoles are much shallower.

[Cokebottle]

it probably has to do with the flatter floor of the Rav4 that allows more height. The same area on a Corolla has a much higher raised hump so the consoles are much shallower.

That's gotta' be it. There's a little more elbow room in the Rav, but I think the console is about the same width, but I've never compared the depth. I think it might have another inch or so front to back.

[aghauler]

Thank you. That was precisely the answer I was looking for. To be quite truthful, that was the way I did it last time. But, my wife was grilling me as to if what I was doing was OK or "sneaky" or legal. So I had to go on here and ask.

Depends on what state/jurisdiction you are transiting during your "1000 mile trips".

Here in New Mexico your vehicle is an extension of your home therefore a LOADED and CONCEALED firearm in your vehicle is legal and does not have to be locked up.
Also loaded open carry is legal except in a few municipalities. Unloaded concealed is legal without CCW, loaded concealed requires a CCW.

Kommifornica obviously requires the CCW for the loaded concealed, otherwise I would carry an unloaded semi auto with the slide locked open and loaded magazines in a combination locked soft case (doesn't take long to roll one tumbler open the case put in a loaded mag and drop the slide) when traveling good to go just about everywhere. While in CA long guns were always unloaded and in a locked case. I just stacked them behind the pickup seat, no "easy access" there.