Noobie CHP question

[MrPeanut]

Hi all! Great site. I've found this to be the "go to" place for VA gun issues. Finally got my CHP today from Alexandria. Took 51 days, three phone calls, and two emails . . . and it's only a de facto at this point! I guess we'll chalk it up to the blizzards. In actuality, however, I'm told it's because the police department has been sitting on the paperwork for some time. The court did take a copy of my DD214 plus a copy of my pistol quals that I threw in for good measure so good on 'em for that.

OK, my question is can I concealed carry in my car with my wife sitting in the passenger's seat if she doesn't have a CHP? The two scenarios I envision are: 1) gun is holstered on my right side within her reach; or 2) gun is holstered and tucked in a pocket on the seat between my legs (driver's seat has a 12" x 5" pocket along the front). In the second scenario, the gun is still within my wife's reach, but somewhat less so.

Sorry if this is obvious, but I certainly don't want to get either of us arrested.

[zephyp]

You're ok as long as she's not a felon...

Seriously, doesnt matter (other than if she is a felon, then you have another set of problems regarding firearms in your home) as long as your CHP is valid you're covered. Now, if you stick it in the glove box and run into Zippy Mart while she waits in the car you could have a problem if an LEO decides to search your car while you're buying a soda.

Apologies for inferring your wife might be a felon, but IMO that's the only reason you'd have a problem with the scenario you described.

[GS78]

Yeah, the felon question was the first thing to pop into my head but that was because of the way you worded your question.........?


Maybe the reason the cops were sitting on your paperwork was you sent them the DD214.......by default that makes you a possible threat.......according to Nappalitano..........

[allingeneral]

Welcome aboard MrPeanut.

Congrats on your shiny new CHP!

I'd say the first two gentlemen pretty much hit the nail on the head regarding your question.

Have a nice day!

[MrPeanut]

Thanks for the information and the welcome. Glad to be here. My Mossberg is actually her recently-purchased-at-local-gun-shop Mossberg so no felonies. She does have a bit of a record though. I think that she got a speeding ticket once in high school. I'll plan accordingly.

[BluemontGlock]

ahahahahah!

[newdovo]

Now, if you stick it in the glove box and run into Zippy Mart while she waits in the car you could have a problem if an LEO decides to search your car while you're buying a soda.

I had the potential to run into a situation similar to this a couple weeks ago. Went out one afternoon with the wife, kids, and mother-in-law (mid-70's) to the mall, lunch, errands. I'm CC-ing. When we got to the mall, my wife asked if I would drop her off with the kids while I did a bank errand, and then meet her back at the mall. My mother-in-law asked if she could ride with me. My banking business, which would only take 2 minutes, required that I go into the branch, which I rarely do. When we get to the bank, I'm prepared to lock my gun in the car while I go in (Wachovia). I had assumed that my M-I-L would go in with me, but she says "I'll just wait in the car."
I carry when I'm able to, and my in-laws know this. But this was the first time that my M-I-L was going to be sorta "confronted" with this fact, and I wasn't sure how she would respond. I let her know that I was carrying and that I would need to leave the gun in the minivan because of the bank's sign, but I would need to leave it on the seat if she stayed in the van. We had about a 30 second primer on CC and some of the rules, and she said "You put it on the seat and go do your business." I offered to unload it if that would make her more comfortable while I went in, to which she responded "Then what good would it do me if I need it?"
Although initially surprised, she was good with the whole thing. On the way back to the mall, we had a nice conversation about CHPs and law, etc.

Parry

[KaosDad]

"Then what good would it do me if I need it?"

CLASSIC!

[CCFan]

"Then what good would it do me if I need it?"

indeed!

Good thing you weren't in the People's Republic of California...

[ProShooter]

I let her know that I was carrying and that I would need to leave the gun in the minivan because of the bank's sign

Right here - you need a new bank