Abstract: A stainless steel defender shield is permanently fixed to the shift bowl of the steering column of an automobile. When assembled on a steering column the defender shield moves with the shift bowl when the gear shift is moved. A lock assembly with deadbolt is provided on the defender shield with this deadbolt mounted for radial movement with respect to the shield. The lock is positioned such that when the car is in the park position the deadbolt enters the gate of the shift device at a position such that the gear lever cannot be moved out of the park position.