OK to carry gas can on tongue near battery, well secured?

Can you imagine if the internal combustion engine was just being invented now? "Well we have this idea for a unit that will power everything from your personal transportation to your lawn and garden tools. Only thing is, you'll have to have a 20-40 gallon tank of explosive, flammable liquid under your vehicle and you'll have to keep containers of the stuff in your garage/shed to power your yard equipment". Lawyers and consumer protection agencies would never let such a ludicrous idea get off the ground!