Gregory Kielma • June 28, 2024
What do conceal carry people do when they must leave their handguns in the car before entering a restricted building?
What do conceal carry people do when they must leave their handguns in the car before entering a restricted building?
Gregg Kielma
I make sure my weapon is unloaded and then secured in a strong lock box that I have in the truck which also has a security cable. My magazine and rounds are kept separately from the firearm. I also do NOT keep decals or stickers on my car that might lead a person to think there is a weapon inside.
Unless I go to the gun range to practice, I do not carry multiple handguns in the car or on my person. I don’t wear 2A or pro-gun shirts and avoid tactical clothing which can draw attention. The exception is the 1.5″ leather heavy duty gun belt which you need to properly support the weight of the loaded gun and holster. But even then, I choose a plain black or brown belt with normal looking buckle. I tend to leave my T-shirts untucked and will also wear a buttoned-down shirt over that to hide the belt and whatever may be attached to it.
You do the best you can to not look like a target.
More thoughts below:
To safely store a gun in a car, follow these guidelines
1. Never store your firearm in a glove box or the center console. Keep it out of reach of passengers.
2. Choose a gun case with a hard outer shell and foam cut-outs for protection.
3. Ensure the car gun safe or case is locked.
4. Keep ammunition in a separate case.
5. Lock non-restricted firearms and containers carrying restricted or prohibited firearms in the trunk or a lockable compartment.
Times are tough economically, and that means that theft is on the rise. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), one troubling crime that's on the rise is thefts of guns from cars. Unfortunately, firearms are very attractive to thieves because they're portable and have a high street value. However, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk if circumstances ever dictate that you must leave your gun behind in your car. Here are the NSSF's tips.
Don't rely on the door lock.
Ever locked your keys into your car? Then you know that it's not all that hard to break into a car. However, a dedicated in-vehicle safe or lock box will represent more of a challenge. Consider investing in a discreet lock box just for your car. There are many on the market; shop around and see what works best for your personal situation.
Keep it out of sight.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but for those of us who live in the country and have a "truck gun," it can be easy to forget that the workaday tool you keep in your car to shoo coyotes off your land is extremely attractive to thieves. Put it out of sight.
Try to limit your time away from the vehicle.
Naturally, the longer you're gone, the longer any thief may have to try to break into your car. Of course, sometimes circumstances require that you leave the car or truck alone with the gun in it, but anything you can do to make the thief's job harder during that time will be of assistance. It may be well worth your while to pay for parking in a manned, secure lot.
“No one wants their gun stolen from their vehicle and to live with the thought that it could be used in a crime,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi. “If you must temporarily leave your firearm in a vehicle, we encourage you to use a secure storage device to keep it hidden from prying eyes and inaccessible to thieves. The new PSAs show the many storage devices available for use in vehicles, including custom models designed to fit into consoles and other places in your car.”
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
