One of the difficulties for any gun owner is knowing how best to wear or transport your firearm. It is not always convenient to carry your handgun in a holster around the waist or shoulder: it is heavy, can dig into or irritate your skin, prevents certain movements, and can sometimes attract unwanted attention.
An obvious alternative to the holster is the backpack. It seems a convenient means of concealing and comfortably carrying your weapon. But the question arises: Can you carry a handgun in a backpack? Is this a viable alternative?
Can you carry a handgun in a backpack?
Provided you have a permit or license to carry a concealed firearm in your jurisdiction, then the short answer is yes. You can carry a handgun in a backpack.
If it is done correctly and responsibly, this can be a comfortable and convenient means of carrying your weapon. The most efficient and safest way is to purchase a concealed carry backpack which is designed specifically for this purpose.
There are several advantages to carrying your handgun in a backpack. It is light and easy to carry, avoiding the discomfort of a holster or ammunition belt.
It fully conceals your weapon from others and prevents drawing unwanted attention. And you can wear any kind of clothes with it rather than searching for large, baggy ones that will hide your firearm.
Of course, it needs to be pointed out that the laws concerning the carrying of firearms vary between states and around the world. If you plan on carrying a concealed weapon, you must ensure that you are in possession of a licence or permit to do so.
However, if you have a license or permit and are thinking of carrying your handgun in a backpack, then there are three main things to keep in mind.
First, buy a concealed carry backpack that is specially designed to carry a handgun. Concealed carry backpacks come fitted with pockets and compartments to store your weapon and ammunition safely and securely.
For the purposes of carrying firearms, these are vastly superior to ordinary backpacks. They tend to be made with a high nylon denier count, which means that they are tough and durable. This will prevent wear and tear jeopardizing the security of your handgun.
They also come with a good variety of storage space to organize your various items clearly and simply, as well as side entry compartments so that you can access your harnessed gun on your back.
Second, ensure that the firearm is always fixed in the proper part of the backpack. A loose gun bouncing around is of course highly dangerous for you and those around you.
The best way to make sure that your weapon is secure is to purchase a concealed carry bag that fits its precise dimensions. If the gun compartment is too big, then your gun will not be secure.
And third, never forget that your firearm is in your bag. If you do, you may risk prosecution if you inadvertently carry your weapon into a prohibited zone.
The majority of prosecutions for carrying firearms are from gun owners forgetting that their weapon is still stored in their bag at locations such as airports.
Again, the best advice to guard against this is to always have the gun fastened in the right compartment of your concealed carry backpack. If you are used to checking that spot then it will be harder to forget than if it is just nestled indiscriminately at the bottom with your lunchbox.
What to Look For When Buying a Top Rated Concealed Carry Backpack
If you want to carry your handgun in a backpack, the best course of action is to buy a concealed carry bag that is fitted to the dimensions of your firearm. This may require having the proper measurements of your weapon.
It is important to ensure that the gun fits snugly into the slot so that it does not bounce around in the bag – this could damage the weapon and would be dangerous for you and those around you.
A good concealed carry backpack needs to be convenient, comfortable and durable. The best will have padding at the shoulders and back to ensure comfort, perhaps with a sternum strap to redistribute the weight off of your back.
A high fabric denier count of between 500d and 1000d will be strong and reliable – the last thing you want is the bag to disintegrate and not give your firearm the support it needs. A versatile storage space with multiple compartments is ideal, as this allows you to organize your belongings and keep your gun away from other items.
A bag with side entry compartments is convenient if you think you might need quick access to the weapon while in transit.
It is also advisable to choose a concealed carry backpack that is low key and fits into the everyday environment. A conspicuous bag that announces the fact you’re carrying a handgun is counteractive and defeats the object of buying a concealed carry bag.
It is best not to use backpacks that come with MOLLE webbing on the exterior of the bag. Any items fastened to this will sit on the outside and may draw unwanted attention. As always with concealed carry bags, the goal is to be discreet.
Leave a Reply