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Thought I'd "throw in" on this as it is a popular topic that has come up on every other forum in which I participate.
To set the stage - I both conceal and open carry at different times for different reasons. In Arizona, a carry permit is optional and not required. I shoot pretty regularly and have some close friends on the Scottsdale and Tempe police forces. In fact, we had a Tempe Lieutenant and his wife over for dinner just last night. He is charged with the Tempe SWAT team and is a marksman in his own right. I shared this thread with him.
I have a philosophy how to carry in a vehicle and it is endorsed by all the officers I know. The carry STAYS ON MY PERSON and is not/ever stored anywhere in the vehicle. You want this for several reasons. Let me explain just a couple.
If your vehicle is stolen and the firearm is left, you just lost your car AND the gun. It's a good guess the person who stole it is a criminal so now a criminal has your gun. If you're thinking about a car jacking situation, you have to know how fast this action occurs. The car jacker isn't going to announce his arrival, it will happen so fast, and you'll be jerked out of the car so rapidly, you will never have time to reach for a stashed gun, especially in the driver's door pocket. Just test this. Open the door all the way, sit in the car and practice reaching for that door pocket for a gun, but picture the bad guy now standing in your path while he is already manhandling you yanking you out of the car. He has a far better chance of getting the gun than you do. Here too, you'll be laying in the street and a criminal now has your car and your gun.
My conceal carry is a subcompact 380. I have the magazine loaded with hollow point (which is very important if you EVER have to use it). I carry it like this:
The LCP 380 is 11 ounces. So light I am not uncomfortable carrying it all day. I am left handed, so this piece is easily reachable on my right ankle even while I am sitting in the car, even driving. If I get car jacked, the gun is going with me out the door and I have an easy time getting to it laying out in the street. On the RARE occasions when I have to take it off BC I might be going into an establishment that does not allow, or searches for weapons, it is locked in my trunk for that time...the only big risk I take with it being in the car and out of my possession.
Finally, as I know this whole topic disturbs some, I view a personal carry like I do car insurance. I feel like I have to have it, but hope I never have to use it....so far, so good!
I want to make sure I'm not raining on anyone's parade. These threads on all sites start out with members suggesting some of the most creative "stash" locations in cars, even to the extent of building fixtures, mounting holsters in places in the car, mounting gun safes, etc. and I applaud that creative effort.
I just hope/ask that everyone think through all scenarios where the deadly weapon might be used and how that will manifest. And, rehearse, dry run, rehearse, dry run, with your scenarios. If it works in your mind and you're confident the weapon could be used to protect your life and not make you the bad guy or arm a criminal with an untraceable weapon, that's far more important than the effort to find a cool location.
That brings up an interesting tactical question - BWings mentions being 'jerked out of the car'. Since our cars autolock I'd think the way a carjacking would develop would be to have someone appear at your driver's door pointing a gun at you. I can't see how the perp could open the door or even break the double-paned window glass to get to the driver. The driver would have to voluntarily open the door for the carjacker.
Scary stories from British - I'd never think of running into traffic to look at a cool car. Can you imagine how much it would suck to be a celebrity where that kind of stuff happens all the time?
That brings up an interesting tactical question - BWings mentions being 'jerked out of the car'. Since our cars autolock I'd think the way a carjacking would develop would be to have someone appear at your driver's door pointing a gun at you. I can't see how the perp could open the door or even break the double-paned window glass to get to the driver. The driver would have to voluntarily open the door for the carjacker.
Scary stories from British - I'd never think of running into traffic to look at a cool car. Can you imagine how much it would suck to be a celebrity where that kind of stuff happens all the time?
That's good thinking Sam! Also, most of us wear seatbelts which makes it a little difficult to get dragged out of the driver's seat. This is all part of thinking through all scenarios. The line is very fine between protecting your life with a deadly weapon and being charged yourself with deadly assault or worse. The best part of thinking it completely through is you're less likely to be caught completely off guard if it happens and is what the bad guy is expecting will happen.
We're at elevated risk I think for being charged for defending ourselves - great narrative - 'rich guy in Bentley panics and shoots at teenagers who were admiring car'
I want to make sure I'm not raining on anyone's parade. These threads on all sites start out with members suggesting some of the most creative "stash" locations in cars, even to the extent of building fixtures, mounting holsters in places in the car, mounting gun safes, etc. and I applaud that creative effort.
I just hope/ask that everyone think through all scenarios where the deadly weapon might be used and how that will manifest. And, rehearse, dry run, rehearse, dry run, with your scenarios. If it works in your mind and you're confident the weapon could be used to protect your life and not make you the bad guy or arm a criminal with an untraceable weapon, that's far more important than the effort to find a cool location.
All the Best!
Spot on advice. The best weapon is being prepared. Practice, practice, practice. The sad part is that places like California or Chiraq have rouge DA's that will charge a person for defending themselves in a life or death situation. In these places, Defensive driving takes on a whole new meaning IE avoid the bad parts of town when able. When stopping, leave yourself an 'out' and always be aware of your surroundings. When a group of 'teens' approach a high end car in Cabrini Green....its never a legal scenario.
Looks like the first "bad guy" entered from the passenger's seat. This is a good video to watch a few times to help "rehearsal". If your personal protection was "wherever" in the Bentley or on your person, could you have used it as a defense in this instance?
Something the police say about car jackings, and if you're seatbelted in, how can you get yanked out of the car (if the door is unlocked)? For years and years here in the US we've been instructed (programmed) to comply with the orders of the bad guys, don't argue, just do what they say. Police say in most of these cases when the bad guy opens the door and says GET OUT, the victim impulsively unclicks their seatbelt and proceeds to get out.
Looks like the first "bad guy" entered from the passenger's seat. This is a good video to watch a few times to help "rehearsal". If your personal protection was "wherever" in the Bentley or on your person, could you have used it as a defense in this instance?
Something the police say about car jackings, and if you're seatbelted in, how can you get yanked out of the car (if the door is unlocked)? For years and years here in the US we've been instructed (programmed) to comply with the orders of the bad guys, don't argue, just do what they say. Police say in most of these cases when the bad guy opens the door and says GET OUT, the victim impulsively unclicks their seatbelt and proceeds to get out.
Wow...im shaking my head. Your car is the primary weapon in a situation like this. The first thing I would have done is step on the gas and drag those crotch goblins down the street.
Wow...im shaking my head. Your car is the primary weapon in a situation like this. The first thing I would have done is step on the gas and drag those crotch goblins down the street.
+1
2:30 AM with all windows down, sunroof open, maybe while moving at speed, but should be closed up at stop...
I just moved to Texas and took the concealed carry course in July 2021 so I think this is legal and meets state requirements, but correct me if not. I have a nylon holster and there are two short self tapping screws attaching it to the center transmission tunnel so it is beside my right ankle. I am right handed and the pistol (Glock 43) is where I can reach down and release the security snap and pull the weapon. I live near Dallas and they are constantly shooting at people on the interstates in road rage.
I have the seat back further than normal for these photos, when in the normal position the covered holster is not easy to see. I have a piece of dark fabric tucked under the console and draped over the holster. When I am in the seat the holster cannot be seen by a trooper standing at the door as an example.
Like you, I would rather leave 10 than carried by 6. I use the old phone cradle in the arm rest for the other clip.
US06GT
LTC INF US Army (RET)
P.S. I practice left handed so I do not have to return fire through the windshield. LOL
I attached the holster to the tunnel with two short self tapping metal screws. I have a piece of black fabric tucked under the center console and draping over the holster and the carpet is black so it should meet the standards of concealed and is near invisible looking through the tinted windows when the car is empty and cannot be seen by a trooper if standing at the drivers door.
Came across this thread searching for another issue and figured I'd chime in.
I live in Vegas and have my CCW permit. I typically carry a P365X IWB but in the Spur but it would be hard to reach swiftly. I put a flat magnet made for handguns into the floor alongside the seat rail on either side of the driver seat. On the door side, I can easily secure my full size Springfield Armory 10mm. On the tunnel side, a P226 will fit but a smaller weapon like a Shield 2.0 or the aforementioned P365x is easier. They mount slide down, facing rear. The magnets aren't entirely necessary as the 10mm was there and never shifted but I opted to improve the security. Keep in mind, the outboard rail position is entirely visible when you open your door to get in and out. It helps that I'm 6'3 so my seat is slid pretty far back. If the seat is more forward, I reckon there will be less room for your EDC.
And as someone posted above, practice practice practice.
09-13-2021 | 08:53 AM
