A holding apparatus mountable to a vehicle is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more mounting members; one or more rear holding members; one or more front holding members; and one or more clamping actuators operatively associated with the front and/or rear holding members. The one or more clamping actuators are capable of moving the front holding members and/or the rear holding members to thereby releasably, clampingly engage an object placed between the front and rear holding members. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for holding firearms. The apparatus may be particularly adapted for use with all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Also provided are methods of holding and/or securing an object such as a firearm using the apparatus, before or after mounting the apparatus to a vehicle.