One of the biggest goober moves a surprising number of gun owners make is leaving an unsecured handgun in their vehicle. Then they forget to lock the door, leave it where it can be seen, or put gun stickers on their back window and shazam…thieves get a free gun.
The problem of theft aside, there’s also the issue of not having a gun on you when you need it. The right place for your gun (assuming you’re not going into a prohibited place with a metal detector) is on your person, where it’s far harder to steal and will be there when it’s needed.
I thought that was one of the dumbest things people do with their guns, but I recently found out that humans are capable of being much dumber (and no, this didn’t happen in Florida) . . .
Allegheny Center. East Ohio Street. Caller said that it appears that someone has stolen the gun he kept on his porch.
— Pittsburgh Scanner (@pgh-scanner.com) 2025-07-19T11:36:30.539Z
Before I go on, I must acknowledge that this is just a social media post from a person who apparently heard about this on a police scanner. We don’t know all of the details, and the porch could have been enclosed and relatively secure.
Still, even if it’s made up or is missing some important context, it’s still indicative of a real problem. It’s believable because we’ve all heard of and seen people do really stupid things with their guns.
It’s well within the realm of possibility that some rube would have a dedicated “porch gun” that they leave under a chair or in a flower pot for special defensive occasions. Porch pirates and other ne’er-do-wells are constantly going on the prowl, opportunistically looking for things to steal, not to mention hidden house keys to get inside.
If you really, really want to have a gun available when you’re on your porch, carry one on your waist. Or maybe slip one in your pocket. Whether you’re open carrying for comfort, toting one in a bag or purse you never take off, or packing in an IWB holster, you can easily have a gun on your porch — or just about anywhere else — without leaving it out for any passers by to appropriate. Plus, carrying on your person features the added benefit of having a gun with you in your front yard, your side yard, the garage, your back yard, and even on your way out to the mailbox…without irresponsibly leaving an unsecured gun lying around.
For regular SNW readers who know crap from apple butter, this is all basic information that we’re aware you already know. But, it’s a good idea to check in with your less knowledgable friends and family members to make sure they aren’t doing anything as jaw-droppingly dumb like this.
Criminals will always find a way to get guns, but there’s no reason to make their job easier or equip them with something we’ve already bought and paid for.
The derp, it *hurts*…
the pittsburgh scanner is a regular ont feature on a variety blog elseplace. they are posted as humorous and as the site claims, “they just keep on giving.”
Many years ago while I was still single I had a gun stolen…until I found it inside the back porch patio. I took a bunch of rifles to the range, when I loaded back up to leave I got distracted by a guy I knew on the range asking me about one of my guns and when we finished conversing I jumped in the car and left. About a half mile away for some reason I realized that in the distraction I had left a rifle in its case leaning against the side of the bench at the range so I went back and it was gone. Called the police to report my stupid to tell them the gun had been stolen and filed a report. So I get home, and there is the gun in its case just inside the door of the back porch patio. The guy I had been distracted by saw me leave it, knew where I lived and had dropped it off before I could get home.
BREAKING NOW: Soros Funded Liberal Propaganda Machine “On It’s Last Leg” As Trump & Elon Tag Team It.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByLE107KPZM
“One of the biggest goober moves a surprising number of gun owners make is leaving an unsecured handgun in their vehicle…”
Yet everyone in the gun community gets their little pink panties in a knot when someone suggests a law making the stupid act of leaving insecured firearms in unattended vehicles illegal.
You can’t legislate away stupidity, any more than you can gravity.
(Physicists are working on the gravity part, but know their limitations…)
That’s because, depending on where you are and what you’re doing, having a gun in the car is a really good idea.
Big difference in having a gun in a locked vehicle vs laying out on the porch.
Nice painting with a broad brush.
If someone breaks into my vehicle to get my extra gun……that’s on them.
If I had a gun on my porch, it would be on my person.
I do have a gun in my office and that office locked when I’m away. Same as my vehicle.
Don’t forget I also have extra ammo, medical supplies, and food in my truck. So I guess I’m guilty of arming, supplying, and feeding criminals.
Nice job of tying carelessness with a “porch gun” with victim blaming for guns in vehicles.
Yeah that was extra dumb. BTW, I’ve kept at least 1 gun in my vehicle for over 30 years straight now, zero issues.
Oh, and as far as a porch gun, considering my house doesn’t even have locks on most of the external doors (and the ones that do have keys long lost) I guess all of the guns in my home are porch guns.
you just need more rooms.
Judge Strikes Down St. Louis Gun Storage Law in Major Win for Missouri Gun Owners.
https://www.ammoland.com/2025/07/judge-strikes-down-st-louis-gun-storage-law-in-major-win-for-missouri-gun-owners/
poor guy, at least he carries on his only armed side.
don’t leave the .22 on the front porch, it might get wet. just inside the front and or kitchen door is the proper storage method.
home invasions occur… home carry. predates farago. no reason not to have a shotty behind the hi fi and a lever in the dresser drawer.