Does out of sight= concealed?

[racer32]

I sometimes carry my pistol in the front pocket of my pants in a soft holster when wearing shorts and a t-shirt. When i get in the car, I take it out of my pocket and tuck it behind my back on the seat. It's not in plain sight as long as I'm in the seat, but obviously when I get out of the seat the pistol is visible. I prefer carrying it that way to stuffing it under the seat or in the console where it's not readily accessible. Am I running a risk of citation for failure to properly conceal my weapon in the event of a traffic stop?

[txinvestigator]

You question is vague. If you are just sitting there, then the weapon is concealed; however, if you have to exit the vehicle then the weapon could become nont concealed.

If I may, it seems as though your technique is not sound. How do you transition the weapon from the unsecured carry behind your back to your pocket?

A quick exit could leave you weaponless, or with it exposed.

And fail to conceal is not a citation. It is a Class A Misdemeanor. That means a trip to jail and possible 1 year in jail. It also means a revocation of your CHL.

[racer32]

You question is vague. If you are just sitting there, then the weapon is concealed; however, if you have to exit the vehicle then the weapon could become nont concealed.

If I may, it seems as though your technique is not sound. How do you transition the weapon from the unsecured carry behind your back to your pocket?

A quick exit could leave you weaponless, or with it exposed.

And fail to conceal is not a citation. It is a Class A Misdemeanor. That means a trip to jail and possible 1 year in jail. It also means a revocation of your CHL.

As far as transition, I usually scan the immediate area for anyone who might be able to see the holstered pistol, palm it as I get out, then just drop it in my right front pocket when I stand up, using the door as a screen. The only way anyone would ever see it is if they were parked or standing on the passenger side and looking in my window as I got out...or if I was asked to exit my vehicle during a traffic stop. So far, none of the LEO's Ive had contact with during a routine traffic stop have asked me to get out of the car, but you never know...hence the question.

I'd think that a quick exit with a pistol tucked out of sight behind you would be less likely to leave a person weaponless than having it stowed in the console or under the seat where it's hard to get to and more obvious when laying hands on it. Plus, it's a WHOLE lot easier to quickly access the pistol when it's not in your pocket! Any of the three options (in the seat, under seat, console) runs virtually the same risk of possible exposure when exiting the vehicle under normal day-to-day situations, and a quick exit with a pistol in hand if it's needed sure seems more sound than having it somewhere I have to dig for it.

LOL-when i first typed my post I typed arrest instead of citation...I couldn't remember for sure if it was an offense that earned you a ride to the graybar hotel or not, so I went with citation instead.

Obviously, I don't want to take that ride, so I'm looking for opinions/options for car carry with my pocket gun. Shorts and t-shirt weather is here, and my current method is totally inconspicuous when I'm OUT of the car, but belted up and sitting in the car with your pistol in your pocket isn't much better than not having it at all if you can't get to it. That's why I take it out and set it behind me when i'm driving, or sometimes just set it on the passenger seat and cover it with something like a newspaper or a towel.

[longtooth]

I have a lock box between the seats that I use. When it or my primary is in the box it is not locked so flip the lid & it is available. Really faster draw than sitting. Only problem I see is if you were approached by an officer before you got it in your pocket & were asked to "step out of the vehicle Please." I always have a couple of sweat towels in my truck. I have thrown one of them over something on occasion. Usually a lot of ammo, another weapon in rug or box etc, should work for the real deal though if you wanted too. I do know one older gentleman that carries his in a cigar box on his seat. What is more natural than 72 yr old farmer brown who smokes cigars to have a cigar box on the seat? Pick something that will look natural for your lifestyle & use it. To answer the direct Q. NO. Out of site does not = concealed.

[dpatterson]

I use a Handgun case that goes in a larger range bag to hold and conceal my CCW between my seat and console in my PU... It completly conceals regardless of if im sitting or not.


LT... its about 4 hours to powder burn...


DP

[jclif1995]

I use a man bag which is nothing more than a masculine designed purse made for conceal carry. I can toggle from the bag to my person to my glove and noone would be the wiser. While entering a restricted zone, the glove and locked. While riding in the vehicle, the bag, top unzipped ready for action if needed. While entering an establishment, the bag or my person based on whatever I think is best at the time. The bag holds glasses, hearing aid batteries, keys, tac light, voter card, wallet, PDA, cell phone, gun, mag, letters, bank deposits, things for the kids, sky is the limit. If you run with the bag, you can stow a service to tac sized handgun with no problem.
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I have never been questioned about the bag. It looks natural on me and I'm a 6'1" 210lb grayish family man. There are enough males in the area using them or a clutch to make it look natural. It does not scream gun.

[txinvestigator]

or sometimes just set it on the passenger seat and cover it with something like a newspaper or a towel.

That will result with the pistol flying into the floorboard if you have to heavy brake, or have an accident. It is not good to do.

I understand your concern with pistol accessability while belted into your car. I sometimes keep a second gun in the console.

As a police officer, I wore a seat belt as required by law. You learn to unbuckle the seatbelt in the right situations, and I believe cops are far more likely to be in situations where quick access while seated might be needed.

That said, cops are NOT very likely to have someone try to carjack them. In that case, having your weapon secured where you know where it is would be the best course of action.

I carry a full sized 1911 in Dallas summers with no problems. Rather than try to match your carry method to your dress, you need to find a carry mode that is safe and effective and tactically sound, then match your dress to that.

[couzin]

So far, none of the LEO's Ive had contact with during a routine traffic stop have asked me to get out of the car, but you never know...hence the question.

You get stopped regularly huh? And after telling the LEO that you have CHL and you are setting on it - they have never asked you to give it to them, clear it while stopped, or place it on the dash or something?

Definately would not put a weapon on the seat, in a loose box or bag, not even in the door pocket.

[gigag04]

Not sure I want a big piece of metal anywhere near my back if I get rear ended.

I have a IWB holster that I keep in my door pocket - which is right at waist level in my super duty. I've been stopped a few times and it's always been there when I have - no probs with the LEOs.

-nick

[Diode]

I use a man bag which is nothing more than a masculine designed purse made for conceal carry. I can toggle from the bag to my person to my glove and noone would be the wiser. While entering a restricted zone, the glove and locked. While riding in the vehicle, the bag, top unzipped ready for action if needed. While entering an establishment, the bag or my person based on whatever I think is best at the time. The bag holds glasses, hearing aid batteries, keys, tac light, voter card, wallet, PDA, cell phone, gun, mag, letters, bank deposits, things for the kids, sky is the limit. If you run with the bag, you can stow a service to tac sized handgun with no problem.
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I have never been questioned about the bag. It looks natural on me and I'm a 6'1" 210lb grayish family man. There are enough males in the area using them or a clutch to make it look natural. It does not scream gun.

Where do I find such a "man bag" sounds exactly what I am looking for :)

jim

[KBCraig]

Where do I find such a "man bag" sounds exactly what I am looking for :)

Ask your friendly local metrosexual.

[Diode]

Where do I find such a "man bag" sounds exactly what I am looking for :)

Ask your friendly local metrosexual.

Ewwwww!

[Photoman]

Man bag?! Sounds like a fine idea but, boy howdy, can we come up with a better name?

[Diode]

Man bag?! Sounds like a fine idea but, boy howdy, can we come up with a better name?

Roger That! :) Guess I'll just stick to a holster and big T-Shirt for summer time! I have a pocket Grabber holster for my .380 Firestorm but I want to carry my Compact Baby Eagle and it's a tad heavier. I need to decide soon, I could be as close and 30-45 days from being able to carry Whoohooo

[KBCraig]

How about "map case"? Those served well as a carry-all in the Army.

Of course, they were also referred to as "fag bag", mostly by those who hadn't managed to score one for themselves.

Kevin