Uber Driver

[=Josh=]

I'm new here, so I apologize if this has already be asked...

I drive for Uber on Friday nights to make a little extra money for my family. I've never owned a gun, but I've been considering it in general for personal protection. After I received a request to pick someone up in the 4400 block of Prospect St at 2am, I'm sure of it. As soon as we can get the money together for a LTCH, I'll be getting one. What I would like to know is a few things:

1. What is the best way to conceal a handgun in my vehicle so that it won't be noticed by a passenger, but it's still readily accessible if I need it?
2. Where can I find such a holster?
3. How much do they generally cost?

 

[eldirector]

Your contract with Uber precludes you from having a gun in the vehicle, and having passengers with guns.
https://www.uber.com/legal/firearms-prohibition-policy

As for your questions:
1) For in-vehicle carry and ease of access, you might think about a shoulder holster (and a jacket). That said, I carry OWB at about 4 o'clock, even when driving, and it is perfectly comfortable. Not the easiest position to draw from, though. Especially if my target would be behind and to my right.
2) Online for sure. Someone here may be able to chime in about local shops.
3) A fraction of what the gun and ammo costs. Less than $100.

 

[pudly]

About firearms and Uber:

• As noted above, Uber is seriously anti-gun.
• If you decide to carry anyway it is not illegal, but may end up getting you banned from their service. If you do decide to carry, be sure to conceal properly and only deploy if you really need to.
• Consider pepper spray or an alternate defense tool.
• I can't strongly enough recommend proper firearms training, not only basic safety, accuracy, and mechanics, but also legal issues. You can read in the Tactics and Training forum for additional info.

 

[chezuki]

AIWB is easy to conceal and draw from while seated. A proper belt is equally as important as holster selection. Quality training should be a priority.

Have you decided on a firearm?

 

[chezuki]

Consider pepper spray or an alternate defense

I would not advise deploying pepper spray in an enclosed and possibly moving vehicle....

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

I would not advise deploying pepper spray in an enclosed and possibly moving vehicle....

Party pooper!

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I would not advise deploying pepper spray in an enclosed and possibly moving vehicle....

Denny?

 

[=Josh=]

About firearms and Uber:

• As noted above, Uber is seriously anti-gun.
• If you decide to carry anyway it is not illegal, but may end up getting you banned from their service. If you do decide to carry, be sure to conceal properly and only deploy if you really need to.
• Consider pepper spray or an alternate defense tool.
• I can't strongly enough recommend proper firearms training, not only basic safety, accuracy, and mechanics, but also legal issues. You can read in the Tactics and Training forum for additional info.

Honestly, I don't care how anti-gun Uber is. I never plan/hope to draw it. Part of the reason I want to conceal it is to make sure I'm not alarming any passengers. If I do need to draw it, being deactivated as an Uber driver is the least of my concerns.

I do do plan on taking plenty of safety/trading classes. My brother is a former Marine and we plan on taking some classes with our wives for some fun double date nights. With a 2yo at home and another on the way, proper safety is priority #1.

 

[=Josh=]

AIWB is easy to conceal and draw from while seated. A proper belt is equally as important as holster selection. Quality training should be a priority.

Have you decided on a firearm?

Not yet, I know I will want a small one to carry and keep in my car while driving. I'm certainly open to suggestions, but I will want to fire some for myself before I make a final purchase.

 

[pudly]

Good attitude on all three items. Anti-gun situations aren't automatically a no-go, but you should be aware of the consequences and make an informed decision. Handguns are a very personal decision and personal fit. Accept others suggestions, but check them out to make sure they work well for you before committing.

 

[halfmileharry]

I like the SA XDs in .45acp. Small, concealable, and packs a game ender. I bought one last month. It's a handful with heavy loads but not bad.
I bought a new G4 Glock 19 today for a winter gun. I'm not a Glock lover but they're darned fine guns.

 

[g00n24]

Ill throw in with the guys recommending either appendix carry or a shoulder holster. A shoulder holster can take some getting used to, but is good for when seated or driving for long periods of time. Carrying AIWB is good for driving and just generally easy to conceal with. Prices on holsters very wildly. For most IWB holsters you are looking at $30-100+. For a decent shoulder rig probably closer to $150.

 

[TTravis]

I like the SA XDs in .45acp. Small, concealable, and packs a game ender. I bought one last month. It's a handful with heavy loads but not bad.
I bought a new G4 Glock 19 today for a winter gun. I'm not a Glock lover but they're darned fine guns.

You can go to your local indoor range / gun store and look their rental guns over. If you are interested in one, rent it and try it out on the range. Try a few and let the salespeople help you decide. They can also show different methods of carry. This is what salespeople are there for, so use them. If a salesperson is particularly helpful, take their advise and buy what you both think is what is best for you and your budget.

I carry in a vehicle often and really like my shoulder holster because it is always with me and works well with seatbelt. That's just my opinion.

 

[1911ly]

I seen something in the news this morning about a Uber driver getting beat up. The driver finally managed to spray the idiot with pepper spray but he got the crap beat out of him first.

Uber driver's assailant apologizes after video goes viral - LA Times

I've known a few cab drivers in this area. Everyone of them has been robbed at gun point at least once. It's not worth it. Especially when the company you work for makes you defenseless.

 

[t-squared]

Speaking of Uber driving and jackwagon fares...https://gma.yahoo.com/former-taco-b...er-driver-232436642--abc-news-topstories.html

 

[=Josh=]

Sorry for the silly question, but I'm not familiar with the acronyms here. SA, XD, AIWB...?

 

[pudly]

You aren't the first.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/397018-list-acronyms.html

 

[LoriW]

Sorry for the silly question, but I'm not familiar with the acronyms here. SA, XD, AIWB...?

SA= Springfield Armory
XD= a model made by Springfield Armory
AIWB= appendix inside the waist band..a carry position

 

[Mr. Habib]

SA= Springfield Armory
XDs= A small semi auto pistol made by SA
AiWB= inside the waist band style of holster carried near the appendix ie. just to the right of your belt buckle.

 

[LP1]

I would not advise deploying pepper spray in an enclosed and possibly moving vehicle....

I suspect that discharging a firearm under those conditions is no picnic either. Never have fired a gun inside a vehicle, moving or otherwise, so this is just a guess. But I think it's a pretty good guess.