Considerations For Concealed Carry In Your Car

If there’s another tool that you make use of more than your daily concealed carry piece, it’s probably your vehicle. Whether you drive a truck, SUV, or a hybrid, you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, commuting to and from work, running errands, or even just taking a long Sunday drive.

While our vehicles are endlessly useful for a wide variety of applications, they do offer some unique challenges to those who conceal carry. Of course, part of being a responsible firearm owner and a capable concealed carrier means learning to adjust your skills and mindset to respond to new situations. To help you stay ready for anything, we’ve put together some considerations you should keep in mind while carrying in your car.

How a Car Changes Your Carry Strategies

On foot, you likely have your concealed carry setup dialed in. You might use a Kydex IWB or OWB holster on your strong-side hip, with a few extra magazines on the other. You likely have a few shirts you use to adequately cover your firearm while you’re moving. And you’ve probably even practiced drawing your firearm from a variety of different positions.

But all of those things change when you’re in a vehicle. That’s because your “workspace” is far more limited, and you might not have sufficient access to the pistol on your hip when your sitting in your car with a seat belt on. So here are some workarounds for this issue.

Vehicle-Mounted Holsters

Rather than trying to contort your body around your seat belt to get to your firearm, consider changing where you store your firearm while in your vehicle. You can mount a Kydex holster in your vehicle for easy storage and even easier access.

Consider mounting this Kydex holster to places like underneath your steering wheel. You can also mount it to the side of your center console. Either of these spots is far easier to access while in a car than drawing from a concealed carry holster on your hip while seated.

Storing a Weapon in Your Car

Vehicle-mounted holsters are ideal for when you’re moving from point A to point B and can re-holster your weapon in your hip holster when you’re done driving. But what if point B is a place that won’t allow you to bring your firearm inside? This could be a federal institution like the post office, some banks, schools, and churches. In these cases, you don’t want to leave your firearm at home, but you don’t want to leave it locked in your glove box either.

Several manufacturers now make small gun safes or vaults that are designed to be installed in your car. They can fit within or near the center console or beneath your seat. These vaults can be locked securely, ensuring that no one can get to your firearm but you. Also, they do a great job of hiding the firearm from passersby, ensuring that there are no tempting targets for would-be car thieves.

Adjust How You Carry

If you’re not interested in specialty options like vehicle-mounted holsters or safes, a simple option is to adjust where you’re carrying. Keeping your firearm on your hip while in the car can prevent easy access. Things like the center console or the door can limit your hand’s ability to grasp the weapon and a seat belt can hinder your draw.

But by shifting your holster, you may be able to appendix carry your firearm with some measure of success. Keeping it closer to the front of your body makes it more accessible. However, you’ll still need to keep the seat belt clear from the holster and weapon. Just be aware of the size of your firearm, as appendix carrying a larger firearm while seated may be uncomfortable.

Custom-Made Kydex Holsters For Your Firearm

However you choose to carry your firearm in your vehicle, make sure that it is compliant with your local laws. It’s your duty as a responsible firearm owner to care for, travel with, and store your weapon appropriately.

And whatever you choose to carry, On Your 6 Designs has the perfect holster. We make all of our holsters by hand to perfectly fit your brand and model of firearm. Whether you carry IWB or OWB, we’ve got the solution for you. Browse our complete line up of brands here and order yours today.