Off-Body Carry: Backpack, Purse and Fanny Pack Carry Pros, Cons and Best Practices
Short answer: Off-body carry means carrying a handgun in a bag, backpack, purse or fanny pack instead of a holster on your body. It can be more comfortable with certain clothing, but it has real downsides: the bag can be set down, forgotten, grabbed or snatched, and the draw is usually slower. If you do it, use a bag with a dedicated compartment and a holster inside it that covers the trigger guard, and keep the bag on you at all times. For most people, on-body carry with a stable holster such as the TRX Ambidextrous Holster PRO remains the more secure everyday choice.
Key facts
- The biggest risk of off-body carry is losing control of the bag: leaving it in a cart, a chair or a car.
- A loose handgun in a bag can catch the trigger on keys, pens or zippers; the trigger guard must always be covered.
- Drawing from a bag takes more steps than drawing from a holster.
- Bags designed for carry (Vertx, Lady Conceal and others) use a separate, lockable or zippered compartment with a holster mount.
On-body vs off-body carry
| Factor | On-body (holster) | Off-body (bag, backpack, purse) |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Always on you | Bag can be set down or taken |
| Draw speed | Faster, consistent | Slower: open, reach, draw |
| Comfort | Depends on belt and clothing | Good with dresses, gym or business clothes |
| Concealment | Depends on holster and clothes | Very good |
| Access by others | Low | Higher; children and others can open bags |
If you carry off-body, do it right
- Use a dedicated compartment that holds only the handgun.
- Use a holster inside the bag that covers the trigger guard and holds the pistol in the same position every time.
- Keep the bag on your body, cross-body if possible; never hang it on a chair or leave it in a cart.
- Practice the draw with an unloaded pistol and no ammunition in the room, from the positions you actually use (standing, seated, in a car).
- Lock it up at home. When you take the bag off, the firearm goes straight into a safe.
When on-body carry is the better answer
Many people choose off-body carry because their belt or holster is uncomfortable. Often the fix is the setup: a stiff gun belt, the right position on the hip and a stable holster. Our guides on choosing a gun belt, concealing an OWB holster and IWB vs OWB cover how to make on-body carry comfortable. The ambidextrous TRX paddle holster goes on and off in seconds, which helps if you only carry part of the day.
At home and in the car
A carry bag is not a storage container. At home, store the handgun in a locked safe; in a vehicle, read how to store a gun safely in your car. Inside a safe or locked room, a Magnetic Mount With Safety Trigger keeps the pistol in a fixed spot with the trigger guard covered.
Quick answer
Is off-body carry safe? It can be, with a dedicated compartment, a holster that covers the trigger guard and the bag kept on your body at all times. The main risk is losing control of the bag.
What is the best concealed carry backpack? Look for a separate compartment, an internal holster mount and zippers that only you can easily reach. Vertx is a well-known brand for carry bags.
Can I carry a gun in my purse? Only in a purse made for carry, with a dedicated compartment and holster, and only if you will keep it on you.
Is off-body carry slower? Yes, usually. Opening the compartment adds steps, so practice the draw regularly.
Carry rules, including where you may carry, vary by state and location; check the rules where you live and travel. Always follow the four rules of firearm safety. Brand names are trademarks of their owners and are mentioned for comparison only.