Concealed in a car?

[dlcra]

When I get in my car to run errands, the first thing I am likely to do, upon entering my car, is remove my gun from it's holster. Question, where SHOULD I put it? Typically I just lay it on the passenger seat beside me. If I keep it in it's holster (IWB), or in the glove box, or in the console, I am worried that I'll not be able to present it promptly if/when needed. I have seen ads for in-car holsters mounted beneath the steering column as well as affixed to the transmission hump or side of the console. Am I violating some law by laying my gun on the seat beside me? Both the seat and the gun are black, so my gun is not obviously visible should someone glance in my car as they pass by while crossing at a stop-light, etc.
If there is someone sitting in the passenger seat, I have decided to holster my gun and place it in the drink receptacle space in driver's-side door, again out of sight but accessible. I think I'll just "house" my BH Serpa II there, permanently, now that I have made the switch from OWB with the Serpa to AG's IWB.
Thanks again for your advice and Be Safe Out There!

 

[DR505]

Am I violating some law by laying my gun on the seat beside me?

In New Mexico, no. You can carry a handgun any way you like in your car as it is considered an extension of your house.

 

[PAGLOCK23]

I keep an LCP in my center console and have a NAA .22 in my pocket at all times.

 

[CoMF]

Hello. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but my solution was simply wearing my holster, a Bianchi Pistol Pocket, in an AIWB crossdraw position while seated in my vehicle. It's admittedly not especially comfortable wearing a holster primarily designed for the 4 o'clock position that way, but it ensures your firearm remains under your control (as opposed to, say, on your seat which could go flying in a panic stop or emergency maneuvers) and "works" well enough to facilitate an easier presentation if needed.

 

[Don 73]

Hello. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but my solution was simply wearing my holster, a Bianchi Pistol Pocket, in an AIWB crossdraw position while seated in my vehicle. It's admittedly not especially comfortable wearing a holster primarily designed for the 4 o'clock position that way, but it ensures your firearm remains under your control (as opposed to, say, on your seat which could go flying in a panic stop or emergency maneuvers) and "works" well enough to facilitate an easier presentation if needed.

Look at the 1986 Miami/FBI shoot out where numerous agents were killed/wounded because they put their primary weapons on the seat in anticipation of the upcoming encounter and LOST them because of panic stops and being hit by the suspect's car. Not exactly a "Tactical" thing to do.

 

[triumphmaster]

In your control

In Ma. a pistol has to be in your control at all times, I carry a model 442+p 38 in my waist holdster, if I am pulled over I give the Police Officer my drivers licence and my class A LTC at the same time so he knows I am carrying, It shows that you have respect and it lets him know that I am armed. It builds respect between you both that way and he can decide what he wants you to do. Its a case of respect and courtesy. Bob

 

[shouldazagged]

My EDC, a J-frame, is pocket carried. In the car I have a slot in the dash which allows me to wedge it firmly in place in its pocket holster so that it's easily reached and won't fly loose in a fast stop. In cold weather I may put it in the side pocket of whatever coat I'm wearing, then shift it back to front pants pocket when I leave the car. I prefer the slot in the dash.

 

[Smitty357]

Get urself some velcro and velcro it to the top of ur dash. This way its always within reach and of course its always visible.

Or get urself one of those little plastic cards to put in ur wallet that says u can put ur weapon wherever u like.

 

[CoMF]

Look at the 1986 Miami/FBI shoot out where numerous agents were killed/wounded because they put their primary weapons on the seat in anticipation of the upcoming encounter and LOST them because of panic stops and being hit by the suspect's car. Not exactly a "Tactical" thing to do.

You hit the proverbial nail right on the head. The OP had mentioned concerns over the legality of leaving one's sidearm on the passenger seat without giving any thought to the most important "law" of all: Newton's First Law of Motion

 

[blujax01]

I pocket carry my M64. When I get in the truck, snubby and holster go in the door pocket. I guess there are advantages to being left-handed after all!

 

[chief38]

I just leave my EDC gun in it's holster which is on my person. I can NEVER forget it in the vehicle by accident and if I have to abandon the vehicle quickly (accident, fire, water, what-ever.......) it is one less thing I will have to think about.

If I were ever to be Car Jacked and "ordered out of the vehicle" my gun would still be with me and NOT left in the vehicle.

 

[blujax01]

Good points Chief38 and something I need to think about. Although a point could be made that in the carjacking scenario and I could exit the vehicle with the revolver in my hand, your overall reasoning may cause me to rethink my practice.

 

[chief38]

Plus the fact that IF YOU DID leave the car with gun in hand your"secret" would be blown if you were in fact not ready to unleash it yet.

 

[Clovishound]

I'm in the camp of carry it on you. As to legality, you will have to check the laws in your state. They vary greatly as to what is legal, and what isn't. As I understand them, in my state the laws only allow me to carry on me with a permit, or in the glove compartment, or in the console.

Lots of good reasons for carrying on you.

 

[Murdock]

Wear it. If automotive travel is a big deal for you, dress for the ride. Shoulder or ankle carry can work well in the car.

 

[Comrad]

Laid on the seat, what happens if you have to stop short?

 

[austintexas]

I don't know if the laws in PA. have changed but when I was a young man I had a concealed carry in Union County, PA. One night I stopped at Mancini's diner for a late lunch and I removed my revolver and put it in the glove box. A PA State Police officer saw me and followed me into the diner and told me I was in violation of the law. It seems that it was legal to carry a loaded pistol on your person but when I put it in the glove box I violated the law that prohibits a loaded firearm in a vehicle, long gun or pistol.

SWCA 892

 

[SMSgt]

Your correct answer depends entirely on PA law.

 

[Stevens]

Look at the 1986 Miami/FBI shoot out where numerous agents were killed/wounded because they put their primary weapons on the seat in anticipation of the upcoming encounter and LOST them because of panic stops and being hit by the suspect's car. Not exactly a "Tactical" thing to do.

Same for the cell phone which also might be needed in an emergency.
Steve W

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Should the need arise the last thing I want to have to do is think about where I put my sidearm, or whether it is still there. I want it to be exactly where it is every time I train on the range, right there in its holster, right there just behind my strong-side hip, right where my hand and arm are trained to go for it.

Of course, my sidearm is just a tiny little thing (Kimber Custom CDP 5" 1911 .45) and so easy to carry and keep concealed that I hardly have to think about it. I just strap it on before I leave the house and wear it everywhere I need to go. Close enough to the pistol the Army trained me to use 45 years ago, and the one I carried for two tours in Vietnam, even the same caliber, so it's pretty familiar to me anyway. Couple of hours at the range once or twice each month and I can stay reasonably competent with it.