I got to this town in 1979, and remember rows of pickups outside the high school with rifle racks in the back windows (loaded) and most of them were not even locked. They belonged to the students, some for show, most to go hunting on the way home from school.
Back East, things were more complicated, even then.
yup. that was me all the way through the 80s and 90s... Gun rack and all... Still is a gun rack in the truck, but the only time the rifles are in it is when I am going to the woods. Still guns in the truck now, well, were guns in it till it got parked due to my disability, but they were not in plain sight anymore... Still unlocked all the time, and the key has never left the ignition.
Though toward the ind of high school, I might admit that the school asked us to check our guns at the office instead of leaving them in the truck during hunting season particularly, and anytime besides because too many guns were being stolen from the lot. Had to tie a toe-tag on them guns with name and etc on it and just check it in at the office.
I did it a couple times, but decided against it... I had a bit of a reputation, as did the redneck boys I ran with... Anyone busting into our trucks was liable to get a toe tag themselves... Never had any trouble with it.
