The Mad Moderate wrote:
Leaving it in the glove box is a good start, I would not lock it when I was in the car because the point of having a gun is quick access, I would lock it when not in the car. There is no law afaik that requires it to be in a lockbox or anything else only that it is concealed. The center console or between the seats is also a good option sometimes.
I would probably only use the glovebox if I was stopping somewhere. I can't reach it very well from the driver's seat in any of our vehicles - the curses of being a shorty I guess. Center console may work, however, if I cover it with a towel or something and leave the lid open.
cbunt1 wrote:
I even asked the troopers (off-line, during a break) at my CHL Instructor's class about holstered in the car under MPA. It's not a stupid question, and it comes up all the time. The party line answer was that holstered in the car, as long as it's concealed, meets the definitions of MPA.
--BUT-- (you knew there was a but, didn't you?)
The plain and simple answer to "what if I'm asked to step out of the car by an LEO" was that there have been no test cases, so there's not a good answer for the LEO on the street (which of course is different than in the courtroom.) In short, it would depend upon the individual officer. One of the gentlemen I was talking to suggested he would likely have no problem with it, but the other one I was talking to suggested he might, depending on the "totality of the circumstances" -- and both of them are generally pro-carry. They'd like to have a straight answer to the question themselves, BTW.
Unfortunately, with no test cases, nobody can give a "straight" answer to this one. By the letter of the law (MPA) holstered in the car, concealed, is just fine. The rub comes into play if asked to step out of the car. I would think that one could make a good case that, when acting under the direction of a police officer, you couldn't be held responsible for UCW (unlawful concealed weapon) since there was no element of intent or recklessness. PROVIDED YOU CAN AFFORD TO MAKE THE DEFENSE (the usual rub in such cases, especially where there's no precedent).
I am not a lawyer, and I didn't stat at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Well of course there is a "BUT" - there always is, isn't there?
First, I don't plan to get pulled over. I drive the speed limit, use my turn signals, come to complete stops at stop signs......BUT.....I sure as heck wouldn't want to be a test case if I did get pulled over for something like a burned out tail light and asked to step out for some reason.
Guess I'll try out the console for now and see how that works til I either get my CHL or can afford to purchase another holster (or three) for the cars.
Thanks guys!
