I use the lock when I go to work or going to be gone for more than a little while. Also use it whenever the gun is in the trunk(no concealed permit) in case of carjacking, car stolen, etc. the punk wouldn't know how to unlock it and can't use it. Other than that I got it in the nightstand, one in the chamber and safety on. I wouldn't keep my gun key on my keyring because if someone got in and my keys were there, they're probly gonna steal my monte carlo along with the key on the ring and the gun to go with it. I keep my spare in an obscure location, underneath my ever-growing change collecting jar(under the coins of course) I keep the one I use in the drawer with the gun, only its in a pair of fake tighty whiteys where the crotch seam is really a pocket, also has a fake doody stain on them..............doubt the BG would touch those.