Handgun storage in your RV?

[Neal]

At times I keep my handgun in the safe, locked. At times I keep it ready for self-defense. It is always stored unloaded with the clip out and to date it's been stored loose in a cabinet. I am looking at these magnetic mounts as an option to at least secure it from moving and also being able to put it on a wall of a cabinet free's up the floor for other things to store loosely and gets it out of the way and secures it from moving, scratches, etc. I can see one of these magnetic mounts for both the handgun and also magazines. Here are a few to consider, two of which I own but have not yet used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PWVGCNL/?tag=rvf01-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WCMNDZB/?tag=rvf01-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXCJHKG/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[Joe Hogan]

I currently use magnet mounts to keep self defense tools close, quickly available, while out of sight. They are a handy method to position any self defense tool that can be held by a magnet. SaberSouth - Gun Magnet, Magnetic Pistol Holders, Gun Mount

 

[sheridany]

what do you do if you get pulled over and you don't have it locked up? In California that spells a world of hurt.

FOPA citation
The first and most common law that is often mentioned regarding the transportation of firearms is the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA). Section 18 of this act is known as the safe passage act. In summary, what the FOPA provides is the ability for certain people (legal owners) to transport firearms from one state where they are allowed to possess that weapon, to another state in which they can legally possess it.

To legally transport a firearm in compliance with the FOPA, it should be unloaded and locked in a case, and not easily accessible to the occupants. The ammunition also needs to be locked in a separate case and not easily accessible.

 

[Neal]

Is a motorhome a vehicle or a house?

 

[sheridany]

referred to as a housecar in CA. The best thing is have a copy of this and use it for trip planning etc.


amazon

 

[MapNerd]

what do you do if you get pulled over and you don't have it locked up? In California that spells a world of hurt.

FOPA citation
The first and most common law that is often mentioned regarding the transportation of firearms is the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA). Section 18 of this act is known as the safe passage act. In summary, what the FOPA provides is the ability for certain people (legal owners) to transport firearms from one state where they are allowed to possess that weapon, to another state in which they can legally possess it.

To legally transport a firearm in compliance with the FOPA, it should be unloaded and locked in a case, and not easily accessible to the occupants. The ammunition also needs to be locked in a separate case and not easily accessible.

I mean, are you really doing something that justifies not only getting pulled over, but getting your RV searched, which would be necessary for them to discover that a weapon were not stored in compliance with FOPA?

when traveling, I do keep my weapon within reach because you never know what situation you will find yourself in and I won’t place my family in a situation where I need to run to the back of the RV, get the case, unlock it, insert the mag and chamber a round. It’s too long.

I have a concealed carry permit from VA, and while not reciprocal everywhere, it’s one of the more widely accepted ones. I’ve considered getting a non-resident permit from another state as well to extend that privilege to other states as well.

When traveling, my weapon is stored in the cabinet above the driver, holstered, with a magazine inserted but no round chambered.
In the event I get pulled over, all of my paperwork is stored in the driver’s side pocket to my left, so that there’s no reason to open that cabinet and possibly reveal the weapon’s presence.

If I’ve done something to warrant an officer stepping into the coach and searching it, well things have really gone sideways.

 

[sheridany]

Nowadays I hear people being pulled over and being asked if they have firearms in the vehicle. It would not be wise to lie about it I would think. If you are lucky to even get a ccw in CA, you are supposed to disclose that you are carrying and you are supposed to wear a tag that Leo can see clearly. So the question is do you voluntarily disclose it or not especially if you don’t have a permit? I agree with @MapNerd that protecting himself and family is above everything providing you are knowledgeable what is what in every state.

 

[GlampDaddy]

Is a motorhome a vehicle or a house?

This was the topic of a lengthy conversation with a bunch of (off duty) game wardens in south Texas on a BBQ/beer night. The conclusions:

1. If it's rolling, it's a vehicle.
2. If it's parked, it's a house.
3. Motorhomes are generally too difficult to stop for minor stuff (safe place to pull over, can be dangerous to get the driver's attention, etc).
4. Open bottle of wine in the refrigerator - who really cares, can't reach it from the driver seat.
5. One person advocated that if the driver didn't have a gun, to issue one.

 

[ARD]

Is a motorhome a vehicle or a house?

From what I can see there is no castle doctrine in California so you better carry it as @sheridany quoted If traveling through CA.

 

[Buly]

Anywhere I go, my Browning and spare mag is in my KELTY chest bag with round chambered and safety on. I check with Legal Heat app the rules for CC in the state. I stay away from Dem run states like NJ, CA, NY etc .
If I have to store my gun unloaded behind 3 locks, and keep amo in a different zip code, why do you bother having one?
Do you think trouble will call you to make an appointment, so you get ready?
But again, everyone has their way of dealing with the self defense issues.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Anywhere I go, my Browning and spare mag is in my KELTY chest bag with round chambered and safety on. I check with Legal Heat app the rules for CC in the state. I stay away from Dem run states like NJ, CA, NY etc .
If I have to store my gun unloaded behind 3 locks, and keep amo in a different zip code, why do you bother having one?
Do you think trouble will call you to make an appointment, so you get ready?
But again, everyone has their way of dealing with the self defense issues.

While I agree, in theory, the problem is that if you have to use your firearm for self-defense, you are already in violation of the law. That means you will be arrested and charged. And, you will probably be convicted.

Now, the up side is that you may have protected yourself and family members; the down side is that you will most likely spend time in jail. It is a lousy situation, but it is what it is. "Hobson's Choice?"

When it comes to a choice between saving a life (maybe my own) or not violating the law, I know what I would choose. Either way, however, it will be a costly choice.

TJ

 

[Buly]

Neal,
You better check if the magnets will work with your Kimber. As far as I know Kimber has aluminum frame and stainless barrel and slide?.
Both not magnetic.

 

[Neal]

Neal,
You better check if the magnets will work with your Kimber. As far as I know Kimber has aluminum frame and stainless barrel and slide?.
Both not magnetic.

She's a small portion of the family

 

[NWIP]

Yes some states require that you disclose to LEO possession of a firearm and some do not. My position has been that I don’t disclose anything that is not required?. With both of our boys being LEO there have been many discussions reference my position as when on duty they want to know the presence of a firearm. They both work in States that it is not required to disclose. I also use the Legal Heat app

 

[Tjdave]

I have a gun magnet mounted on my doghouse/engine cover. F53. Loaded, and within easy reach. We travel in Wa State and Idaho where my CWP is legal.
Don't think we'll ever go to Commiefornia.
We now recognize an imaginary border wall, on the West side of the Cascade Mountains, that keeps us from venturing into the left side of the State.

 

[Buly]

Number one if you get stopped:
Never volunteer with negative information.
Keep your mouth shut as much as you can.
Do not consent to a search no matter what. Let them do it against your refusal.
I have been stopped twice. Only once they asked if there are firearms. I said yes, they removed it from my holster, unloaded it , checked the ser. Number in the cruiser. Than put it on my back seat, and let me go.

 

[MapNerd]

In states where you are required to notify of ccw, it’s sort of a moot point as your ccw enables you to carry on your person in your vehicle - provided you are in the state where the ccw was issued or a state with reciprocity. If in a state where I don’t have reciprocity, I’m not sure I’d operate any differently other than not carrying directly on my person and possibly keeping my weapon out of my direct and immediate reach.

I’m not sure I agree with the notion that arrest and certainly not conviction is a matter of absolute certainty, that is, provided the following conditions are met:

1. you attempted to deescalate the situation peacefully without brandishing any weapons or making any threats
2. After being unsuccessful with condition 1, you attempted to retreat and/or vacate the area but were prevented from doing so by an aggressor
3. You OR your family are under a direct, physical assault AND the assault is is severe enough that there is a probable risk of severe AND/OR debilitating injury AND/OR loss of life
4. The assailant disregards direct, clear and concise demands to stop their assault while you are displaying your weapon

If all four of these conditions are met, in my mind the use of lethal force is justified. It is at this point that I’m willing to roll those dice and I feel confident that I will turn out okay.

there are certainly things to be said about skipping certain steps, especially step 2 when it comes to Stand Your Ground laws that some believe allow you to disregard condition 2, and that In my opinion is where things get subjective and murky.

The other area where things get vague is the Castle Doctrine and the use of lethal force to protect one’s property, which is not something I recommend. Legally, it is allowable but killing someone for stealing a TV, breaking a window, even burgling your home. Personally that’s not something I would do. I pay a lot of money to my insurance company and have no qualms about making them pay out a claim. If they want an armed guard to protect my covered assets, they can send one.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

At times I keep my handgun in the safe, locked. At times I keep it ready for self-defense. It is always stored unloaded with the clip out and to date it's been stored loose in a cabinet. I am looking at these magnetic mounts as an option to at least secure it from moving and also being able to put it on a wall of a cabinet free's up the floor for other things to store loosely and gets it out of the way and secures it from moving, scratches, etc. I can see one of these magnetic mounts for both the handgun and also magazines. Here are a few to consider, two of which I own but have not yet used.

Amazon.com: GMW Gun Magnet [2-Pack] | 30 lbs. Rating Magnetic Gun Mount | HQ Rubber Coated Gun Accessories Gun Magnet Buckler Series for Car, Truck, Desks, Safes, and Walls | Concealed Gun Holder for Handgun: Sports & Outdoors

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WCMNDZB/?tag=rvf01-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LXCJHKG/?tag=rvf01-20

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Neal, I have several of the Mag Keepers...one is mounted in my Home safe for holding mags. Will even hold a 17 round Glock (with the steel inserts).

In my RV, I also have one stuck to the side of my gun safe which is perfect to hold extra mags. This is a Liberty safe that’s kept in the overhead behind the driver. Good place to be fully accessible underway with slides in.

 

[Chuggs]

Since you stated that you keep the gun unloaded, and magazines out of the firearm...I am a bit less concerned. My concern is for those that don’t.

I have a DOA USP40CLEM and it has twelve in the mag, and one in the pipe. I therefore believe it Is most important to have it in a holster or sleeve that guards access to the trigger.

Even if I carry a pocket gun...it is in a neoprene sleeve, again...protecting the trigger.

I have a very, very well disciplined trigger finger from years of repetition...but one commonality in many accidental discharges...is grabbing a firearm that has an openly accessible trigger.

I think the magnet is a cool idea...but there are too many things about it that go counter to my gun safety philosophy. You can overcome most by changing habit...but I would have too many to change. I would have to get a holster with metal in it..instead of attaching a bare weapon. And I just don’t normally place a loaded, and unsecured (not locked) firearm of mine where it could, at times, be closer or more accessible to someone else.

And...a firearm should be stored “in a place and manner that, to the maximum extent practicable, prevents an unauthorized person, especially a child, from viewing it or gaining access to it.“

Here's the speed bump for unauthorized users:

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is an interesting article on this subject Firearms Compliance for RVers | MotorHome Magazine