Where do you stage your pistol in vehicle?

[H.J.]

Hi guys,

1. I'm asking this question based on having a concealed carry permit...
2. I will pocket carry a 9mm Shield with Crimson Light green laserguard.
3. While driving I do not want to carry in my front pants pocket because it would be too difficult to get to.

Now to my question. Where do you carry your pistol in your vehicle? I drive an SUV with the standard console between seats and a solid molded what/not pocket on the drivers door.

• That pocket on the door is not good because left is not my dominant hand.
• The console is not good because its hard to get to. So where do you put your gun that affords ease of use?

I was thinking of placing a holster on the front right of my drivers seat (almost to the floor) with the but facing the passenger seat. This way the gun his concealed from anyone in the car and I only have to lean forward a little to access the gun with my dominant hand and be prepared to shoot.

What do you think and do you have a better idea other than a shoulder holster?

Thanks a lot,

Harry

 

[Seraphim]

It's at my waist in an IWB cross draw position, or on my right hip. IMO if it's not on your person securely, it's not in your control. Beneath my seat is a button activated lock box cabled to the seat frame. Grab the cable pull it forward and open without having to look down. Carrying a fireArm requires some concessions, but comfort doesn't have to be one. It just takes time to find the concealment rig right for you.

I'm using a comfortable holster from N8 Squared - not specifically designed for cross draw, but works well in any position. Just FYI

 

[NYlakesider]

Its on my person not in my car.

As all vehicles are different what works for one person stashing a gun in a car will not work for others.

That is a question you will have to answer for yourself.

PS I have carried a CCW for over 40 years!

 

[H.J.]

Do you see any specific problem with the holster attached to the front of the seat as I mentioned?

The gun will NEVER be in the car if I'm not in it. I would take the gun out of my pocket and put it into the vehicle holster once I'm in the vehicle. And I'd put it back in my pocket when leaving the vehicle.

The gun will not be on the floor, the holster will be placed vertical between the top of the seat and the floor. In easy reach but unseen!

 

[robertrwalsh]

My defense weapon is on my person.

 

[H.J.]

Hi Robert, Does the gun "Have To Be" on your person to be governed by conceal carry... Or can it be cancelled on my seat as well?

 

[star1]

Consider this , the more times a handgun is taken out of and put into a holster increases the possibility of a Negligent Discharge. intro

I'd vote for putting it in a holster and keeping it there

 

[H.J.]

Ah come on star1, really! Anyone unable to go from one holster to another or one place to another shouldn't have a firearm...

 

[star1]

Well...... Search Result: Accidental Discharges - POLICE Magazine

 

[robertrwalsh]

HJ, in my state and my circumstances I could leave the gun bouncing around on the floor boards if I felt the inclination. The point of having it on me is I know where it is. I carry behind my right hip. I can reach it while seated in my vehicle with my seatbelt on. If I spent a LOT of time in my vehicle I might switch to a shoulder holster. A gun that is "staged" or "stashed" in a vehicle can easily go for a stroll on it's own and when you want it, it isn't there.

 

[jgower]

If the firearm is in the passenger portion of the vehicle on you or not it is a concealed weapon.

 

[H.J.]

Hi guys and thanks,

No doubt accidents with a gun can happen and so can stupid...

When I was in Viet Nam a friend of mine who had been in too many battles to mention and never got so much as a scratch. He was walking through headquarters area leaving to jump on a chopper going to Saigon and out of country, A guy from the signal corps walking next to him cleared his "EMPTY" carbine by pulling the trigger. As you may have guessed, it shot my friend in the foot.

So yes, stupid happens even with those trained to know better.

I hear you about the loose gun and I can see that happening so I've got to come up with a better answer. I want the gun concealed yet available in my vehicle and I guess I need to try different methods to see which works best for me.

My thanks again to all...

 

[Hedrin]

I have a friend who uses one of any number of magnet holders. I don't know which one he uses, but there are a bunch out there. He loves it.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Concealment-Products-TCPFDGM77-Magnet/dp/B005PHILRM/ref=pd_sim_200_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0SCNJKSGMNZANNEK55CZ"]Amazon.com : Fast Draw Gun Magnet : Refrigerator Magnets : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ygVb%2BgREL.@@AMEPARAM@@41ygVb%2BgREL[/ame]

 

[Jaysq]

a Remora between the seats works for a lot of people

 

[BC38]

a Remora between the seats works for a lot of people

Or any other kind of nylon/pocket type holster. Works for me...

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Every state has different requirements. Currently, it is 100% legal to have a handgun in your motor vehicle in Texas and it MUST be concealed. A CHL is not required for this purpose - the vehicle is considered to be an extension of your home. Traveling outside of Texas can involve different rules.
That said, the assumption made by the law is that the average person is taking his or her handgun and placing it in a console or a glove box. There are holsters advertised for cars but the ones I've seen leave the weapon exposed - that violates the law here. In a split seat vehicle a holster placed between the seats might work but, still, you are concerned with accessibility and the law is concerned with concealment. If you can reach it and access it easily, fine - if you can't, well, try something else.
I always carry a 642 in my pocket – I do NOT willy nilly remove it to secure it in a vehicle/make it readily accessible. I use a second gun for that purpose.
Okay, let's examine your remarks:

That pocket on the door is not good because left is not my dominant hand.

Assuming you can hide a gun there, which I can (but I don't but that's not my point), and assuming you can get it OUT of that pocket easily (which is why I don't do it, because it's hard to access) your left hand is definitely equal to the task of reaching the gun, removing it from the pocket, and passing it to your right hand. I am horribly dominant right sided but even with that extreme dominance my left hand can do what I just described and can shoot, too, if necessary. So I think you underestimate your left hand. (Presuming no medical issues - that changes the equation).

The console is not good because its hard to get to.

I don't know what you drive but I drive a small pickup truck and a large car and in both cases the console is easy to get to. Pop it up, there's the gun, done and done. My console gun (and there are many choices that I have) always rides in a good gun sock and it dumps right out if I need it. VERY easy to accomplish. I don't want the gun banging into things so I protect it. The gun is loose but not "real" loose. YMMV
So, again, perhaps you are underestimating your own ability to access a gun in your console - practice that (UNLOADED!!) a few times and see if it's really that hard to do.
On a long road trip I change things. At that point I'm likely to use a cross draw holster with an N-frame in it so I'm 100% comfortable with the driving. A shirt or jacket or anything covering that holster does the job. Since the gun is with me when I leave the car I don't necessarily have a BUG in the console, but I might. For daily use the pocket gun stays in my pocket and a small console gun is there as well. It stays there all day, too, until I go home. If I think about it I bring the console gun in a t night but if I don't that's okay, too, I've done that MANY times.

 

[Watchdog]

Does the gun "Have To Be" on your person to be governed by conceal carry...

No, not in North Carolina. If the weapon is hidden in the vehicle, it's concealed, period. That's why North Carolina calls them Concealed Handgun Permits.

Also keep in mind, if you're stopped by the cops in NC for any reason, you're legally required to inform them that you're carrying concealed, even if the weapon isn't on your person. Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Don't reach for your CHP until asked to produce it. Don't let people tell you you don't have to inform an LEO that you're armed. Not informing them is a real quick way to get a free ride to the slammer...or worse.

Keep this in mind as well...we are an open carry state. Your weapon doesn't have to be concealed when you're driving. You can have it on the dash or on the passenger seat, uncovered. Just make sure it's visible, that's all.

 

[dcopper]

Get your self a good cross draw holster. I Had a forum member make me one for a 3in Mod 65. Turned out great. simple and effective! Check with Alex, 05CarbonDRZ.

 

[DevilDog72]

I drive a Dodge P.U. with a center console...I have a gun rug between it and the drivers seat, it is concealed, yet easy to get to. I carry a 19 snub and this works well for me.

 

[g8rb8]

That is a question you will have to answer for yourself.
NYlakesider

I think NYlakesider nails it. Very personal decision.

Well...... Search Result: Accidental Discharges - POLICE Magazine

Based on star1's response I thought I would see stats or stories about negligent discharges upon transferring a weapon from one holster to another I did not find any such stories but maybe I missed them(?). On the other hand I did see a number of sad stories that drive home the point to take care when handling a loaded weapon.

The below article found at the PoliceMag website should scare any male into using a holster for appendix carry.
Police Advise Holster Use After Man Shoots Own Penis - News - POLICE Magazine