imported post
I would say that even if someone transports a gun in a safe -- which is located between the front two seats (console area) -- he/she isn't immune from arrest/prosecution because it COULD be called "readily accessible" (depending on how is this legally defined) given the quick-opening nature of these types of gun safes, and it certainly IS "within reach" of the driver/passenger.
In my particular case, I'll be getting one of these more serious vehicle safes (I'll be needing it for my laptop, PDA and camera, too):
http://www.handgunsafe.com/41216s.htm
...and mounting it OUT OF MY REACH in the rear cargo area of my Honda CRV (which has no trunk, lockable or otherwise).
True, I don't like this because it's not convenient for me getting to it quickly (I'd rather put it between the seats), but at least the cops/DA can't say -- if theywere so inclined -- that it was "within reach" and/or "readily accessible."
This is especially important to me as I will be making a trip this Summer back East, and will be visiting MD for a while, then making a short trip into Washington, DC, to visit my sister...then I'm out of there!
I can only imagine what might happen when MD/DC cops see a vehicle with a TX license plates...the safe in the cargo area may make the difference if I'm stopped. That's the best I can do.
Or, I can leave the gun somewhere in a VA (Fairfax) hotel safe -- or maybe with a VCDL member -- to pick up after my MD/DC trip, but then I'd be without a gun the whole time I'm in MD and DC...while the criminals/gangster punks there ARE armed.
What a hassle it is just for a decent citizen to exercise his/her RIGHT of self-defense!
-- John D.