NRA Stickers - Theft Deterrent or Theft Invitation?

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The truck rack thing was to comply with G.M's request for factual insights instead of opinions mentioned above .
 
The only decals I have are ones that are only recognized by other gun enthusiasts, such as the Beretta Trident or similar. The average person doesn't know what they mean, but people with a like mind set do.
 
I don't have anything on my vehicles. I don't even like the decals that identify the selling dealer (they give a hint as to where you live).
 
Just my two cents ... advertising that you have a firearm is like advertising that you're walking around with, on average, several hundred bucks in your pocket. Criminals, especially burglars, are generally looking to score just enough to pay for their next score. If you don't advertise you have it, then they won't see you as a target.

However, I can see the flip side ... let the world know you're carrying and that they'd be a fool to mess with you! But it's my belief that that train of thought generally just leads to trouble. The element of surprise is always a good one. I'd keep it to yourself and maintain the upper hand ..
 
Firearms are a big part of U.S history . Just like NRA stickers , Ruger Tshirts , Rifles in the rack of pick ups , The journalist with the I am the NRA bumper sticker on his camera lens while he covered events .
The powers that currently be promised to change the way the U.S views firearms .
Looks like he may be doing so .
Wonder if the theater that the creep shot up had a NRA instead of advertising as a firearm free zone would he have went ealse where ? He did drive past others to get there .
 
He chose his target carefully from his journal. We don't know how he would have considered armed citizens' response yet. Maybe that will come out.

The issue is whether the stickers:

1. Make you a target for vandalism
2. Theft if you are not there
3. Target you for your gun, with planning how to neutralized your ninja, steely eyed dealer of death skills
4. Deterred some incident where your gun or sticker was seen

All of these probably have happened. We have some instances of each. The differential probability of each is unknown. Thus, we can expound with certainty that the one choice you choose to promote is the most likely. :rolleyes:
 
I'd be willing to bet that the criminals who may avoid you (because you carry) are offset by the criminals who see you as a target, because you visibly have an asset they want, and it becomes a wash in the grand scheme of statistics. Therefore, it's the choice of the gun owner, without any particular repercussion, either way. IMO, of course.
 
Just looking at the big picture . I have seen cases where they were targeted for their shoes , X Box , Play Station , leather jacket , Gang colors , cash , vehicle , Where they work . The only event I have heard of where they were targeted for their firearms was a case in wich the gun owner was keeping company that he should'nt have had around his family ahd they all paid the price . In that case the bg's were people they knew .
 
My thinking is that its both!

Deterrent for: Direct contact, Car Jacking, etc.

Invitation for: Left alone break-in, Follow/find home for burglary target.


My vehicles have state sheriff association sticks on them and my cellphone has 2 Attorney = SoAndso phone numbers listed at the top (alphabetical A-Z list). Think both of these can are deterernts to both the crimmal mind and police stops.

:)
 
Originally posted by Glenn E. Meyer:

Actually, folks have been followed from matches and robbed while they were in a restaurant. I personally know of two cases here.
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I very much doubt that that was because of a NRA sticker on the vehicle tho, odds are the crooks watched the firearms being placed in the vehicle so they knew in advance there were actually firearms there. Odds are they cased the range beforehand and knew what firearms were in the vehicle. The victims may also have been observe previously stopping at the restaurant after a range trip. FME, odds are someone in the restaurant with the victims at the time of the robbery, may have been in on the robbery and may have actually suggested stopping. Could be someone at the range, looking for a easy snatch, overheard the victims talking about stopping for a bite to eat. Again, nothing relative to a NRA/firearm sticker on the vehicle.
 
In my posts, I also mentioned a wave of thefts of NRA sticker cars in Austin.

My follow comment was a response to this:

Really? If that's the case, don't ever wear camo or blaze orange in public or the crooks will know you're a hunter and have guns in your vehicle and more at home. Don't buy ammo at Walmart, cause the pros will follow you home knowing your feeding those firearms in your safe and gut you when you get outta the car.
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BTW, the Miami shootout killers targeted folks who were out shooting for their guns.

Point being you can be targeted if someone has the motivation to look for gun owners or carriers.
 
It seems a profesional criminal or ring of criminal would know how to find firearms to steal for their line of buseness . The average thief would avoid some one they thought would be armed . I do know one young man that took a wrong road in life and got mixed up with break in artist that would target isolated rural homes . They would case them out and waite until they were sure the house was empty . In more than one instance they would come across nice firearms and the oldest thug would remind them do not take guns , if we get caught with this other stuff you could get off with probation if we get caught with stolen guns you will go to prison .
 
I carry concealed and I don't advertise having guns by putting stickers on my vehicle. I think any type of gun sticker advertises that you may have a gun in your vehicle and in your home as well. Why invite trouble.
 
My Security Company offered a free security audit of our home which obviously was a strategy to sell us additional equipment/services. However, the auditor was an off duty local Police Officer and he had some very good tips. One thing he mentioned is not placing firearms related magazines, catalogs, etc in the recycling bin where anyone walking down the street might see them. He also suggested putting any firearms related material out of site during visits by service contractors like the bug man. He stated that while many break-ins are random a number of them are actually planned. Crews will look at you trash for the empty big screen TV box or your recycling bin for magazines related to guns, watches, and other luxury or in demand items like firearms.
 
Theres a place near here that is very isolated that people go camping and fishing . I know one guy that will toos empty ammo box's around his camp site when they are camping there . Incase some rough necks come through that may be caseing them out or want to start trouble . He does'nt want to apear like a easy target .
 
I think it depends on where you live and park... a NRA sticker on vehicle parked daily in a driveway in north St Louis would attract much more unwaned attention and curiosity than the same sticker on a farm truck out in the country.
 
Many break-ins are planned.

There's a network of people trying to figure out what you have. If you have a regular job with regular coworkers; one of them is keeping track of your vacations, listening to you brag about your rifles, keeping notes, probably scanning Facebook pictures as to your valuables. Keeping notes, passing along to their buddies.

Guns are a huge asset to organized criminals, they bring profit and are a needed tool as well. Most are skilled enough to get that gun from your belt. You are only beating the odds is all. Things haven't lined up yet if you have never been a victim of a crime.

You can increase your odds of avoiding crime very simply... Limit each piece of Intel that you put out there.

Thinking that an NRA or a Ruger sticker is going to limit the information about you is flawed.

Your trash is gone through without your knowledge if you live in an urban environment. Don't believe me? Count the cigarette butts around the container.

Some guys like to dress like they are packing. Because they want people to know that they are a "gun guy".... I spot those guys every day.

Not every criminal is the car jacking junkie. Most are professional, and do it for gain.
Be careful out there
 
On the other hand, there are cases of folks who deliver gun safes going back to the house and emptying them when the home owner is away.
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Does this mean we should advise folks not to buy gun safes and have them delivered to our house because of these rare cases you speak of? How about ordering anything online, like reloading components? OMG....the UPS man/mailman will see the Midway box and will be back when he knows I'm not at home! We all know a Midway delivery is a sure sign of gun ownership.

You see the same hysteria on Harley forums. Folks tell you not to wear anything with "Harley" on it or the would be robbers will follow you home for your bike. Same goes for Harley stickers or license plate brackets on your truck or car, much less ever park your bike outside the garage without it being log-chained to the light-post. But Harley riders are bad-ass and generally have guns. Does that make them an easier target or one to stay away from....in the perspective of the average burglar?

Does any of this actually increase/decrease the odds that you will be targeted and robbed? No one here has shown any evidence one way or the other. Only anecdotal and surmised. No proof that wearing camo/blaze orange will make you a target of gun theft, unlike the flashing of firearms as you put them in your trunk, right before you stop and park your vehicle outta your sight while you stuff your pie-hole.

I have no stickers of any kind on my vehicles....not because I'm afraid of advertising easily robbed possessions, but because they make a vehicle look like white trash. I assume there's a good argument for and against that too..........:D

Gun stores advertise all the time they have guns. What keeps them from being stolen on a daily basis is awareness and security. The same thing that will keep your firearms safe in your truck or home.
 
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