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You may be a gun owner or a staunch critic of the Second Amendment. Either way, you have the right to own firearms in the United States. However, each state has legal and safety parameters for keeping a firearm in your car. So, can you legally keep a concealed handgun in a vehicle’s glovebox?

Depending on your state, you might be breaking the law by leaving a handgun concealed in your car’s glovebox

In states with less restrictive gun ownership laws, keeping a concealed handgun in your glovebox is legal. For instance, Texas motorists can legally store firearms in factory-installed glove compartments, per the Texas State Law Library. The same goes for states like North Carolina and Tennessee.

However, California drivers must take extra precautions to secure their guns. Rather than using a locking glove box, a driver in the Golden State must lock their unloaded handgun in a locking container or the vehicle’s trunk. Ammunition must also be separate from the firearm. 

Incidentally, gun owners must know the laws of the states they drive through, not just their state of residence. For example, motorists can keep a handgun in their glove box in Nevada. However, driving across state lines into California without securing your firearm in a locked box separate from its ammunition could land you in trouble with the police.

Furthermore, in every state that permits firearm storage in a glove box, the driver must be legally allowed to possess the gun. A convicted felon, for instance, can’t legally own a firearm. Also, the legality of storing an illegally purchased firearm in your glovebox is a moot point.

Still, even if you’re allowed to do so, leaving your firearm in your glovebox may not be the best storage solution. For starters, accessing your glove compartment could be slow and cumbersome in a self-defense scenario, per the USCCA. However, leaving your gun in your glovebox is also an invitation for theft.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).