4 Fundamentals to In-Vehicle Weapon Storage

Keeping weapons and other issued gear stored in your vehicle is a necessary part of accomplishing your daily job requirements. However, many agencies vary on how they expect weapons and gear to be stored, both on and off duty. Storing guns and weapons in a safe and secure vehicle compartment is essential and helps ensure  law enforcement officers can securely mobilize their weapons while also decreasing the risk of weapons getting lost or stolen. There are numerous options for in-vehicle weapons storage on the market, but a weapons storage solution that is properly designed and catered to your needs will provide the flexibility, durability, accessibility, and security you need to excel every day.

 

Flexibility

A good weapons storage solution is able to adapt to your storage needs. Versatile configuration options and customizations allow you to expand and adapt storage the way you need it. Whether it’s uniforms, tactical gear, smaller weapons, full SWAT gear, ammunition, or riles and shotguns, you’re able to customize your weapons storage solution for all the equipment you need and eliminate what you don’t need.

In addition to this, the automotive industry delays have kept law enforcement departments and vehicle upfitters uneasy over the last year, requiring them to quickly pivot to different SUV models for short-term needs. Utilizing a weapons storage solution that allows for ease of transfer between vehicle platforms will make this process much smoother and also help reduce costs for budget-strained departments by not requiring an additional purchase.

 

Durability

Quality equipment is a large budget item for many departments, and the ability to keep it clean, safe, and in good working order is crucial. Loose or improperly stored weapons, especially in a moving patrol car, may slide around, get banged up, or even potentially misfire. This poses danger not only to the vehicle’s occupants, but also racks up costs for the department. Investing in a quality weapons storage cabinet will extend the functional life of your gear.

The locker itself must be strong and able to withstand not only attempted break-ins, but also the daily wear and tear of patrol. Strong material that resists natural elements like water and humidity will keep your weapons working longer, and a finish that doesn’t scratch or ding easily will prevent rust or other wear and maintain aesthetic appeal.

 

Accessibility

A dedicated storage solution for gear and weapons allows you to efficiently access the weapons you need to address the emergency at hand, and the right in-vehicle storage solution can allow you to keep both equipment and weapons close together. Especially in moments of crisis, rapid access to weapons storage is absolutely essential. Precious moments wasted fumbling for the right gear could have lasting consequences, not to mention escalate frustration. A neat, organized, and quickly accessible storage system will save time, providing you with the right tools for the situation at hand.

 

Security

Safe in-vehicle weapons storage is fundamental to law enforcement. A recent report found that “On average, at least one gun is stolen from a car every 15 minutes” (Everytown Research). The same report found that “cars parked at residences (driveways, outside homes, etc.) are the most common source of stolen guns, demonstrating the importance of securely storing guns at all times and locations.” Finding safe storage solutions for weapons in vehicles has never been more crucial, especially for law enforcement. Glove boxes, trunks, floorboards, and vehicle seats are among the most common places from which weapons are stolen (The Trace), showing a police vehicle alone is not a secure enough location for a police-issued weapon or firearm.

A weapons storage locker should keep weapons out of sight and discourage smash-and-grabs. In the event of a break-in, the locker should be able to withstand multiple minutes of prying, hacking, and smashing, giving you time to respond to the situation. Even then, a good weapons storage solution will still be secure and maintain its integrity.

 

Estes AWS: Building the Perfect Weapons Storage Solution

While designing and building our Estes AWS Rapid Access Weapon Lockers we kept these four elements in mind and created a solution to check all the boxes.

• • • Flexibility – Our lockers are universally designed to fit a wide range of vehicle makes and models without major adjustments, and transferring to another vehicle is easy! They don’t require special installation and are designed around factory mounting points in each vehicle make and model. We offer a wide array of styles with different drawer-mounting and barrier options to fit your specific storage needs. In addition to this, Estes AWS productscan be custom designed to meet the changing needs of each department and vehicle. If you have a unique need for your department and haven’t been able to find a solution, contact us.
    • Durability – We use galvannealed steel, which is completely rust-resistant and tamper-proof and seal it with a rugged powder-coat finish, creating a dust-free and weather-free environment. Carpet lining and Velcro straps or foam padding on the inside protect weapons and keep them in place during transit.
    • Accessibility – We are an anomaly in the industry with our wireless remote access locking system. This patented rapid-deployment system allows for the least time to deployment of any trunk or rear-cargo-area-based product in the industry. With the remote open feature, there is no need to find a key, remember a combination, or operate a multi-pin lock.
    • Security – We tried breaking into our own locker…you can see how it went here. Our line of sizes and styles provide protection for all kinds of gear from long guns and rifles to small handguns and other gear.

 

How can we outfit your patrol vehicle for success? Whether it’s one of our SUV Rapid Access Weapon Locker 2.0 models, a Sedan Rapid Access Weapon Locker, or a custom-built solution, we would love to work with you! Contact us today or find a distributer!