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I'm plan to attend graduate school in January. My understanding is that it is OK to leave my handgun in the car concealed. Would you guys recommend that the gun be transferred from my person to the console before entering the campus? I'm just wondering if someone were to see the gun being transferred if it could be an issue legally speaking.

I keep mine on me until i get parked. Then very discreatly put the gun away. I want the weapon available to me if needed and hiding before hand seems to be contradictory for its possible use.

I"m not an expert, but I think you are required to keep it concealed at all times. To me that means don't let it be seen. Keep a rag in the car if you have to, to cover it as you draw the weapon to hide or secure.

I try to do the holstering unholstering thing before I actually park at the destination. The rag thing is also helpful.

Liberty wrote:I try to do the holstering unholstering thing before I actually park at the destination.

I agree. Some mope could see you concealing something, even though he doesn't know what it is, and target the vehicle for a break-in.

I also recommend practicing your chosen method of disarming with an unloaded weapon. There are very few safe directions in a vehicle. An accidental discharge could penetrate the transmission, catalytic converter, or some electronics (which are often under the seats or in the console). You could be looking at thousands of dollars' worth of damage.

- Jim

Not to make a mountain out of a molehill...

I would not worry if someone unexpected walked by and happen to peer "into" your vehicle while you were unholstering and securing your firearm to comply with a premises issue...You are making a reasonable effort to comply with the law, and if someone peers in, thats almost like opening a door to a closed room where you are at...I wouldn't sweat it too much...Just do all the handling as safely as possible...

If it means that much to you, I would make a really good scan of the area watching for folks that might come up between your vehicle and possible look in as they pass and see what you are doing...

I don't much trust putting a firearm under a seat or in a glove box or center console because it just doesn't secure it enough for me...I'd rather slow them down by buying one of those "breadbox thin metal" vehicle gunsafes we've been talking about since day one of this forum...Links are all over ther place, and they are a good buy for what you need them for...I'm buying a few for Christmas presents...

2 levels of security sure do tend to slow the average smash and grabber down a bit when you have to...

Tinting your windows and putting a reflective shade in your windshield will help keep your vehicle cool while parked, and help reduce the chance that someone will spot you handling your hardware if you choose to do the holstering/unholstering while parked.

Back in the 60's and 70's we had curtains on the vans. Maybe we should resurrect the curtains

Is this a recent law? I haven't been keeping up with these issues lately, and I always thought you couldn't legally carry your handgun in your vehicle in College parking lots etc. Has this changed?

caleb c. wrote:Is this a recent law? I haven't been keeping up with these issues lately, and I always thought you couldn't legally carry your handgun in your vehicle in College parking lots etc. Has this changed?

No...Its always been this way...

It has been determined over lengthy discussions that "premises" as defined in the Texas Penal Code are buildings, structures and other facilities you access from common parking and other conveyances that are not "premises" as defined...

I appreciate all of your input, guys. It looks like the opinions are a bit mixed. I would not think too much about it in most places in Texas, but TXstate is near Austin(where I live) which is filled with very liberal folks that hate guns and might freak out if they accidentally saw one out in public. I'll definitely use at least a towel or jacket until I'm confident that I can transfer it discreetly. I like the idea of a lock box for the car as well, as one person suggested, and I'll definitely look into that.

I have a couple of these.

http://www.center-of-mass.com/

There are better than nothing. Not that easy to access in an emergency, but they are good to help secure a weapon. I do not have the illusion that a weapon could not be still stollen, but i do think it will slow some people down if they try.

I also used mine when traveling through IL. They require guns to be unloaded and locked, away from access and separated from magazine. I had unloaded magazine in one and unloaded gun in another.

Elotemuygrande wrote:I appreciate all of your input, guys. It looks like the opinions are a bit mixed. I would not think too much about it in most places in Texas, but TXstate is near Austin(where I live) which is filled with very liberal folks that hate guns and might freak out if they accidentally saw one out in public. I'll definitely use at least a towel or jacket until I'm confident that I can transfer it discreetly. I like the idea of a lock box for the car as well, as one person suggested, and I'll definitely look into that.

Went to TXState and never had any issues with disarming once parked. I even on occasion rode the motorcycle in and disarmed once parked. I did use a hand towel to help hide the transaction when removing it from my hip to the locked storage under the motorcycle seat. Look around to see if any one is close enough to see…if not disarm…if so…then wait for the right moment.