Camera Bag with room for gun: I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed...

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I carry two shoulder bags. I keep my iPads, charged battery charger, water and my 40 cal, semi-automatic in that one in a private compartment that is quick to access. I have a soft cloth Think bag with my camera gear in the other. I don't mix the two and I can get to my gun quickly. When I am taking photographs the small bag is always touching my leg. Personally, I haven't considered using a single bag.

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Go to a camera store with your gear and gun in a spring clip holster- find a bag that will allow you to rivet/mount the holster to its side panel and still fit your camera gear, then do the modifications needed or have them done at a shoe repair or awning shop- either should be able to affix the rivets or grommets needed to secure the holster.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Here are some ideas:
http://store.teamglock.com/glock-multi-purpose-backpack.html

Article on Concealed Carry Methods...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/concealed_carry.htm

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

There are plenty of camera bags that should have plenty of room to carry a small or medium size handgun concealed from view. However, if you have to bring the gun into play quickly I think that having to open a compartment and then reach inside might waste a lot of valuable time that could save your life. Why not get something like a Domke vest and reinforce a pocket for the gun? A photographer's vest being worn by someone without other camera gear is normally a tip-off to anyone at all street-wise that you're carrying, but if you have other camera gear with you that should not be a problem. If you're carrying a handgun for protection you want to be able to get to it NOW...someone coming at you with a knife, for example, can cover 21 feet in 1.5 seconds or less....can you get your gun out of a bag's compartment and shoot it in less than 1.5 seconds? That's the maximum distance in about 90% of gunfights, with 50% being at 9 feet or less! Most of the time when you need a self defense gun it will be at a time when you least expect it....if you had time to plan it you might get a shotgun or hi-power rifle, instead of a handgun.

Frank T Loc: New York, NY

You're right Bud. That's why I recommend hand grenades. They're much easier to deploy, You just hang them on the camera bag by the ring pin and pull them off when needed.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

A belt clip is the way to go.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Budnjax wrote:

However, if you have to bring the gun into play quickly I think that having to open a compartment and then reach inside might waste a lot of valuable time that could save your life.

Agree!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

I know this is off topic, but have you ever actually needed to deploy your weapon when you are out taking photos? If you are in dangerous or questionable areas I could see the need, but in general I'm not sure why you would need to holster it in your camera bag. Most folks I know who have permits for concealed weapons don't carry them all the time. I'd be afraid that someone could steal your bag with the gun in it. I would think if it would be better to keep it on your person.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

Do you have ti carry it concealed (when out of town) or can you canny open in a cross chest holster; a lined full flap holster with a breathable strap custom fitted by a shoemaker? I do NOT like having my weapon in a bag (except one travel bag made for my Browning. In town, I would an IWB. I always carry a stainless steel weapon to avoid corrosion, or I carry a Glock compact .40!

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

That's exactly why I carry mine in a separate bag. I don't see the point in carrying a gun if you can't get to it quickly. I like the camera vest idea and I'm going to look into it further. If you carry a handgun for protection the whole idea is speed. I also have the gun charged and on safety and never, never play with it.

Budnjax wrote:

There are plenty of camera bags that should have p... (show quote)

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Thanks, Guys. I appreciate your ideas. I am in FL, do lots of photo activity in the swamps, and, although I have yet to need it, I feel better with a gun on my person. And, open carry is not allowed in FL, as I am sure many of you are aware.

I will look at all of the above suggestions. Thanks.

tusketwedge Loc: Nova Scotia Canada

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

Man ,you guys certainly give a new meaning to shooting.LOL

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

Shellback wrote:

Here are some ideas:
http://store.teamglock.com/glock-multi-purpose-backpack.html

Article on Concealed Carry Methods...
http://www.chuckhawks.com/concealed_carry.htm

Went onto Chuckhawks website which led to an advertisement for a Smith and Wesson 380 pocket pistol. First time I ever saw a gun advertised as a "lifestyle accessory" Very interesting

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

insman1132 wrote:

I am looking for a camera bag, I think preferably soft sided, that will hold a camera body and 2-3 lens and have a compartment that will hold my concealed weapon, a 45 cal automatic. The definitive word here is "hold" as I cannot have the gun loosely banging around inside the bag. Does anybody have, have seen, such a camera bag that might fit my needs.

You can use the camera bag/backpack of your choice
You know how the moveable dividers in a camera bag or backpack use velcro to fix them in place? They make holsters that velcro in place, too. I use one inside a special tactical jacket for my .45 auto. The holster is quite simple, made of nylon fabric and "male" velcro. Or you could take a soft stock holster and attach "male" velcro to it. Just a suggestion:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/146310/soft-armor-compak-off-duty-belt-holster-ambidextrous-1911-nylon-camo?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Good luck!