My concealed carry gun is either on my person or locked in a safe or — confession time — in an intermediate state where I’m technically not carrying it but I have it within easy reach. Oh, it’s still concealed. It’s just not holstered and tucked in my waistband. This intermediate state occurs mainly during two events: when I’m driving and when I’m sitting or working at a desk. During these times, which are regular occurrences, my gun may ride in a Galco Defense Planner, a zippered leather cover I’ve had for years.
About the Galco Defense Planner: Measuring 8½ inches long by 6 inches wide by 1¼ inches deep and retailing for $77.56, the full-grain leather planner looks just like a personal organizer or notebook cover. A nickel-plated zipper pull runs three sides of the planner; for extra security, it can be locked. Inside, the Defense Planner sports two elastic holsters: one for a gun and another for a reload. It also comes with a removable wrist lanyard.
I’ve carried many different sizes and types of guns in the Defense Planner, from J-frames to the Glock 19 you see here. I’ve never, however, carried a gun in the Defense Planner in hand while out and about. I just don’t carry a planner around like that and I couldn’t ever bring myself to let it out of my hand or just set it on a table — too easy for it to be forgotten or stolen. And I’m always conscious about where the muzzle is pointing when it is laying on any surface. There is a use for it, however, as a close-to-body concealment system while driving or working at a desk.
Driving. Driving and carrying concealed can be a tough enterprise. If I’m carrying IWB at 4 o’clock, that puts my gun directly under my seat belt and makes it difficult to access. If I’m carrying at 1 o’clock (or appendix), same deal: The gun is under my seat belt. Drawing from pocket carry is nigh impossible. I don’t always bother with a shoulder holster, which solves the seat belt dilemma, so I’ve opted to have my gun in my bag right next to me on the passenger seat. But the gun is in the Defense Planner, holstered, in a position where I can grab it easily if need be. If the planner is in my bag, I leave the planner unzipped. For even faster access, I may bring the planner out of the bag, strategically placing it between my car’s center console and the parking brake handle. But that’s only when I’m in the car, driving. As soon as I park and leave the vehicle, I will either hide the Defense Planner in the car, take it with me in my bag or remove the gun and holster it normally.
Working at a Desk. Working at a desk has some constraints similar to driving. Just the nature of being seated puts a crimp on drawing from all the concealed carry locations just mentioned. With the Defense Planner, however, I can keep a gun hidden but nearby. Depending on a variety of circumstances, I may keep the planner in a desk drawer, in my bag or otherwise nearby.
One key drawback of using a cover such as the Defense Planner: Getting to and unzipping the planner and drawing is time consuming. Another benefit, though: You can more discreetly move your gun from place to place. And while it may not be a fast-access carry system, at least it keeps your gun within easy reach.
How do you handle off-body concealed carry in situations like these?
More info at: www.galcogunleather.com
