Self Defense On A Motorcycle vs In A Car

[Sean from Vt]

Rob,

I am wondering if you have any tips for carry and/or deployment of a firearm while on, around, or traveling by motorcycle? We all know the best thing to do is get away from a possible incident. We also know that in a car or truck you have much better cover/concealment than on a bike. I know that you ride so I was wondering what thought you had put into those situations.

Thanks,
Sean

[tombogan03884]

A cross draw or Chest holster will give better access to the pistol .
Smaller size and better acceleration give you more options for escape from a situation, although it limits your ability to "bull" through one.
That's all that comes to mind at the moment.

[Rob Pincus]

This is a tough one... and may very well be worth tackling in the next season. Afterall, we're doing crutches and wheelchairs and I'll bet more people ride bikes than use those devices.

When I carry while I ride, I generally accept the compromise an have carried small framed revolver or subcompact pistol in a pocket holster inside my riding jacket.

If I'm not wearing a jacket, I have sometimes gone all the way to off-body carry in a magnetic tank bag, that I keep with me when I leave the bike.

Interestingly, although I generally think Open Carry is a bad idea, I have carried cross-draw openly when on long group rides in the west. These rides were usually through open country, off interstates and started and ended at camp sites in the national forest. This was probably the "best" way to carry in regard to speed of response, but came with its own compromises in regard to awareness or surroundings and limits to where we could go while riding.

-Rob

[r_w]

PLEASE add that to season three. 

Make sure to mention some of the quirks of CCW, in-vehicle storage, and the law.  You can't do a 50-state rundown, but remind people to do their homework.

[PegLeg45]

When I rode, I had a custom leather vest with a holster pocket arranged for cross-draw of a small auto pistol. It would work for a small-framed revolver like Rob mentioned also.
On short local-area jaunts, I sometimes just stuck with my IWB strong-side carry since in most of the southern areas of my state the LEO's don't think anything of it when open carrying.



*Side story: Years ago a friend was riding up I-75 in the Macon area and had his 1911 in an IWB holster on his hip. His vest was flapping in the wind and his gun was visible. A passing LEO pulled him over and (not knowing the extent of carry laws in Ga, [open carry is permissible with a CCW permit]), took him in. Just so happened my friend's aunt was the Probate Judge for our county (who issues CCW permits). A quick phone call to his aunt got the mess straightened out.

[Sponsor]

[Overload]

One of the few times it's good to be a lefty.