[Extremely Pro Gun]

I want to know the legalities of carrying a loaded 18" shotgun in my truck in texas. I want to just get something cheap from Academy. like a mossberg 88 for under $200 ;). Am I allowed to do this??

[TomADC]

I don't know for sure but I'd doubt any state would let you carry it loaded in the cab.
Call your local ATF or ask your gunshop owner.

[Extremely Pro Gun]

Well im a gun salesman at Academy and I dont know. :rolleyes: How about in the back of an SUV? :evil:

[AKElroy]

We probably need TR to weigh in, but I do not believe Texas has any restrictions on long guns in the cab of your truck, loaded or otherwise. I drive 120 miles to my lease nearly every weekend with a loaded .30-30 muzzle down in the passenger floorboard w/ no worries.

[nalioth]

I don't know for sure but I'd doubt any state would let you carry it loaded in the cab.
Call your local ATF or ask your gunshop owner. I love this response. (NOT)

Everybody has their own opinions, and this one is flat wrong on both counts.

1) Texas has no laws on the carriage of long arms aside from the general proscriptions for any firearm (no bars, etc). You can carry a rifle or shotgun loaded or unloaded anywhere you like (barring city/county ordnances and the aforementioned general firearm proscriptions).
For instance: You can carry a loaded/unloaded shotgun in your pocket (if they're deep enough), anywhere in your vehicle you like, strapped to your back on your motorcycle/bicycle/tricycle/unicycle, in a cello case, in a little red wagon etc.

2) The ATF? The feds don't give a fig about state laws. This is bad advice.
Gunshop owners? Some of those folks make up their own laws at the drop of a hat. A lot of 'em aren't even familiar with the firearms laws that govern their business, much less firearms laws that don't. More bad advice.

Good advice is to contact a local lawyer who's familiar with firearms law, or your District Attorney's office (they'd be the ones to prosecute). Do not ask any law enforcement agency, as they have been proven to lie when asked these types of questions (either out of ignorance or malevolence). Even if they were caught lying, it wouldn't help you if you got sideways to the law.

[dacavasi]

It is legal to carry a loaded shotgun in your vehicle in TX. There are no prohibitions so long as the gun itself is ATF-legal. What a great state, huh?

[Extremely Pro Gun]

Well then... Here it is and all of its glory :D Cant wait to pick one up. I need to strive to better protect myself and my girlfriend. What better way than get a gun that can completely reside in my vehicle.

http://www.maverickarms.com/pages/images/guns/31023big.gif

I think i will spray paint it desert tan or something. :evil:

[JohnKSa]

There are no FIREARM laws prohibiting a person from having a loaded long gun in their vehicle in TX as long as it is not accessible to unsupervised children.

I suppose it is possible to run afoul of game laws if you have a loaded long gun and a light in the vehicle at night but I would think that there would have to be additional circumstances to provide supporting evidence that a crime had been/was about to be committed.

[RSVP2RIP]

In Illinois it wasn't untill recently that you were allowed to have a gun and trasport it in a pickup in the cab. Tell me how that makes sense.

[gunnie]

ANY long gun, loaded with ANY amount of ammo is legal. it used to suprise me back before the state started allowing loaded handgun carry in vehicles......

(unless crossing two county lines, and staying at least one night there.)

......that i could put a black rifle with a 40 chance loaded mag in the pick'em up truck rifle rack, and be good to go. which seems like more of a threat to you?

would guess this is a function of MANY old cattleman's laws that are still on the books. despite the hollywood induced hysterical facts, few cowboys carried handguns. but most had a rifle. why waste the limited space on a horse with inferior firepower? more ammo between reloads from a lever action, more muzzle energy from the same calibers and more accurate delivery of projectiles.

besides, in a good case/scabbard the rifle was protected from the many adverse elements that would ruin an unprotected handgun in the movie-town favored fast draw rig. it would also be easy to catch a low slung leg holster on brush when riding a horse.

f'rinstance, it is still against the law to:

1 carry wire cutters in a saddlebag on a horse. (obvious root to this law)
2 own/raise guinea hens. (they are loud and shrill enough to stampede cattle)
3 hit a cow that has gotten beyond the fence with your vehicle. unless you can prove this is a common thing with the owner's livestock, you will be responsible for your own repairs, and have to pay livestock replacement cost to the rancher.

>$0.02

gunnie

[MCgunner]

Legally, you can walk down the street with a loaded shotgun on your back if there aren't any city ordinances against it. In the truck, no problemo. Used to see 'em in gun racks a lot in the back window, but that's just sorta advertising to the thieves. I had a 64 Chevy pick up in college (a long time ago, was just a wore out POS back then, not a classic :D ) that had a gas tank with a fiberboard cover behind the seat. Ralph Nader would have a cow. I would set my double 12 loaded with buckshot/slug on that tank with a butt cuff. It was illegal to carry a handgun in a truck. It had to be unloaded and locked in the trunk. Always made me wonder, in the land of the pickup, no trunk, why they should pass such a stupid law. :rolleyes:

[LeonCarr]

Do a Google search for Texas Statutes, and look at Chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code.

Yes you can legally carry an 18 inch shotgun in your vehicle in the State of Texas if you are 18 years of age or older.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

[X-Rap]

Loaded is the magic definition. Some states consider ammo in the pemanent mag as loaded some even consider a loaded detachable as loaded. Here in Colorado a loaded gun is a gun with a live round in the chamber and it is forbiden except for handguns.
I suspect that Texas has a similar law regarding long guns as do most states that allow transpot without a closed case. I would check the states game laws, they usually have vehicle regs.

[MCgunner]

In Texas, loaded or unloaded, one up the spout, no matter. And, heck, you can spotlight hogs or rabbits. Used to spotlight rabbits all the time, though I used a .22 on 'em or a handgun sometimes.

[gunnie]

..."I would check the states game laws, they usually have vehicle regs. "...

if it is a legal long gun, OR handgun, loaded is OK. since last year for handguns.

gunnie

[AcceptableUserName]

Texas rules. Perfectly legal.

[gunnie]

..."Texas rules. Perfectly legal."...

not really, we're in second place right now. just after i left alaska, they instuted a law that says a valid state driver's liscense is a concealed carry permit, also. if we can get that'n started down here, we will rule, especially when temperatures are considered part of the equation.

:)

gunnie

[AcceptableUserName]

well, then Alaska RULES. but texas is still a good one. I'd vouch for Utah but I've made my feelings on this state apparent in other topics and dont wanna derail the thread. :)