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For those of you that happen to cycle through rough neighborhoods and are able to do concealed carry of firearms... Wondering what you wear to conceal them that works well while cycling. Obviously the standard cycling outfit isn't going to do any good whatsoever... Various back/fanny packs seem like they'd be inconvenient. Most jackets that would work fine while walking would tend to "ride up" I'd think. Just curious as to what works and what doesn't work.

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Let's assume all permits are in order, and so on, and that this is a legal situation, and answer this question seriously. I think it's fascinating. – Neil Fein Dec 18 '10 at 4:08
I guess it could be extended to open carry as well. In my particular State of the Union, open carry is legal without a permit, unless in a motor vehicle (and bicycle does not fall within the ORV's definition of "motor vehicle", so it's like walking/riding a horse in that regards). – Brian Knoblauch Dec 18 '10 at 14:33
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Is your intention to stop and then shoot? Or are you also looking for firing ranges that allow bicycles? – Mike Two Dec 20 '10 at 15:03
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Just the simple act of carrying while riding was all I had in mind. Preferably in a way that keeps it totally concealed. At one of the places I work, people with permits are encouraged to carry. – Brian Knoblauch Dec 20 '10 at 20:23
Not a situation that applies to me at all, but this is a very interesting question! – Scottie Apr 2 '11 at 7:17
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7 Answers

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Seems like stuff made for joggers could work for cycling.

Would a small triangle frame bag work? The kind I'm thinking of seem about the right size to hold a small-to-medium pistol, and fit on the rear end of the top tube. Some sit on top, secured by the seat post, some hang under, secured by the seat tube. Lots of options...

Or a frame bag designed to attach to the front of the top tube. Or a handlebar bag...

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up vote 8 down vote

A thread on this subject on Bikeforums ran to pages and pages... Some expressing utter horror that a bicyclist would feel the need to be armed, others ridiculing the whole idea, others with decent suggestions. I'm a cop, I know that numbers of cyclists ride in conditions that are less than optimal. We have had armed robberies and muggings of cyclists here in St. Louis, usually the bad guy is after the high-end bike. As well, mountain bikers have been attacked by cougars in Western states. Bicycling magazine detailed several such incidents while I subscribed. Rare, but possible.

First up. Having the weapon concealed on the bike is rather a bad idea if the intent of the bad guy is to steal the bike... Your first indication of anything wrong might simply be a pedestrian knocking you over at an intersection. Now, he's got your pistol too...

Unfortunately, cycling gear isn't much designed for concealed-carry. I have a little Taurus 2" 38 special as an "off-duty" weapon. Drops right into my jersey pocket.
Sure, it "prints" there. But then, I'm a cop...I don't care. A reasonable idea is the "fanny pack" (I've just been informed that Aussies call them "bum bags"...). As far as I know, you can still buy a fanny pack that is designed specifically to carry a firearm.... http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS285&q=fanny+pack+for+concealed+weapon&aq=1v&aqi=g1g-v1g-j3g-m1&aql=&oq=fanny+pack+for+conc

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I have a Bike Nashbar frame pack that would definitely fit a compact frame handgun: alt text

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Any idea whether there are triangular bags that you could use as regular bags? – user652 Feb 7 '11 at 18:33
up vote 2 down vote

First off you'll have to wear mostly regular clothes.

Using an inside-the-waistband holster will suit you well. You can tuck a shirt in over the holster, then if you wear a jacket over that, it will be completely hidden.

I have an MTAC holster, and I sometimes carry when I am buying or selling stuff from craigslist. I've never had issues where it became visible that I was carrying.

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up vote 2 down vote

I have one like the Nashbar frame pack, different brand but substantively the same thing. Sucks that my Kahr PM-9, small though it is, adds pounds to my ultra-light bike, but in certain areas, I'd much rather not leave my firearm at home.

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up vote 2 down vote

Just ran across a line of holsters that look interesting. Relatively low cost, so I may have to try one out to see how well it works. http://www.pistolwear.com/index.htm

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Arrived really fast. Seems to be good quality. Works as advertised. Even now that I'm carrying some extra weight and with a rather large Beretta/Stoeger 8000, it does the job with an appropriate clothing choice (can't be see through, needs to be a little bit baggy, etc.). Only downside is that it's soft, therefore you don't have positive prevention of accidental trigger activation. They recommend that if you don't have a safety (I'll add "one that won't accidentally be turned off, and one that's not prone to failure like some very early SAs") that you carry with an empty chamber for safety. – Brian Knoblauch Mar 28 '11 at 13:37
up vote 1 down vote

I use a assault III back pack with a waste strap and a drop leg holster modified to attach to my hip using the leg platform as a pad. I have a Glock 29 and it works well for mtb.

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