Handgun in car

No sure of the laws as it is not required in my state, but it certainly sounds like a viable innovatove solution. Easy enough to accomplish with some Velcro "hook and loop" material similar to what I've seen used on some bedside rigs. Or for a more secure setup I suppose you could actually bolt something in place.

Thanks for the great idea. Might put this in place for a 'back up gun' for the vehicle.

Sounds like it would pass legal muster for being in the trunk. From my understanding though, many states that require that it be there also require that it be unloaded - and consider it loaded if there is ammo even in the same case (whether its in the gun or not). If that's the case you're still stuck getting ammo to it.

Luckily in my state its legal even loaded in the glovebox (without a CWP - once you have that it can be anywhere out of sight).

Why don't you just get a carry permit, so you can have it readily available?

If you're in a state that doesn't have easy access to permits, I doubt you live in a state where it's OK to have it uncased or loaded in the trunk.

I think it would be fine, since usually the state law is written such that it has to be in the "rearmost" part of the vehicle, or something like that. I don't think it usually says trunk because if you have an SUV or wagon, for instance, there is no trunk.

Definitely check on if it needs to be unloaded though, and what 'unloaded' means.

I don't really know what benefit there is to having it on the seatback though. Unless you are in a small car and quite limber, you'd still have to unbuckle your seat belt and do some finagling to get back there.

Why would live in such a state?

Check with your state and local laws, and if legal, print out the statute and keep it in your glove compartment. Many law enforcement officers probably don't know if it's legal or not. If stopped for any reason and the issue pops up, you have documentation to show the officer. JMO

smalls said:

Why don't you just get a carry permit, so you can have it readily available?

If you're in a state that doesn't have easy access to permits, I doubt you live in a state where it's OK to have it uncased or loaded in the trunk.

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I would have to agree with this 100%. Most likely the gun and ammo locked in seperated cases. What state do you live in?

Put it in the trunk??

I have mine within arms reach 24/7 including driving down the road. Why have one if you cant have available at all times? Get a carry permit and never give it another thought. As far as traveling, check out the reciprocity map and avoid states that wont accept my permit. That works for me!!

Check with your state and local laws, and if legal, print out the statute and keep it in your glove compartment. Many law enforcement officers probably don't know if it's legal or not. If stopped for any reason and the issue pops up, you have documentation to show the officer. JMO

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Yes a good idea that I recommend to people myself.

It's usually not a good idea to play "Gray Area" with such as ATF, state police, local Police, etc.
Even if you are technically right you still may spend some time being detained while they try to figure if you are right or not.
If you are right you will be lucky to get just a "Sorry for holding you in the cell for hours but that's just too bad".

I'm not bad mouthing law enforcement I was a LEO myself but some LEO do have some "gray areas" concerning the law.

For those of you who are allowed to keep a firearm in your vehicle but not allowed to take it with you when going into a store, movie etc., have stolen vehicles or vehicle break-ins been on the rise for the purpose of finding and stealing a handgun? I could be wrong, but I think Texas is one of those states.

For those of you who are allowed to keep a firearm in your vehicle but not allowed to take it with you when going into a store, movie etc., have stolen vehicles or vehicle break-ins been on the rise for the purpose of finding and stealing a handgun?

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Not that I've noticed. Realistically most cars are parked in fairly public places. A car burglarly is usually a smash and grab - and as such they usually only get ONE car to try before they have to run. If there's nothing of value in sight, then it's not worth the gamble to most thieves.

They'll wait until they find something that's less up to chance. IE, either something of value left in plain sight, or something about the car that indicates it as such. That could be firearms stickers on the car, or other indicators (targets, ammo boxes, belts, etc). Also keep in mind that guns aren't the only thing of value worth stealing. A pair of golf shoes in the back seat means there might be clubs in the trunk. Don't give them any reason to think that YOUR car is one with something good inside.

VA has a great solution to this. The gun can be either in the glove box or console loaded. And unlike other states with similar laws OC is legal therefore making transporting it to and from the vehicle a breeze.

LeontheProfessional said:

VA has a great solution to this. The gun can be either in the glove box or console loaded. And unlike other states with similar laws OC is legal therefore making transporting it to and from the vehicle a breeze.

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And Kentucky too

Why would live in such a state?

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I live in a state w/generous gun laws, but I used to live in a not-so-generous state, and I get tired of seeing that sentiment posted.

People have lives, jobs, family and roots in "such a state." It's not always feasible to just pick up and move.

PaulKersey3:

Just a hypothetical here. Several states require a handgun be secured in the trunk while traveling. I was wondering if it would be okay to...

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If I may ask, what State in particular does your question apply to?
Because it does matter.

Just don't forget it's there if you go to Canada!
Dave

Get a carry permit and never give it another thought.

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Easier said then done for some people like me.

If I may ask, what State in particular does your question apply to?

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Dunno what state the OP refers to, but California requires the handgun to be in a locked, inaccessible container and unloaded. The trunk will suffice. If you're in a pickup you can transport them in the bed or in a locked case in the cab.

Brings back memories.

Check your State's wording on what is required, you may be legal. Also, in my State your handgun is considered unloaded even if there's a loaded magazine inches away from it.

As others have noted, identifying the particular state in question would help a lot in narrowing answers to this question.

In Maryland, for example, a handgun must be in a enclosed case, unloaded, and are only "transporting the handgun to or from the places listed in section 4-203 of the Criminal Law Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland" (i.e. - "a target shoot, formal or informal target practice, sport shooting event, hunting, a Department of Natural Resources-sponsored firearms and hunter safety class, trapping, or a dog obedience training class or show." Yeah, that last one has had me scratching my head for years). In MD, and enclosed case does not mean the glove compartment, but rather an enclosed case, within the trunk, unloaded.

In neighboring Virginia, as was pointed out, the glove compartment will work, loaded or unloaded.

And, regardless of what the code actually says in the District of Columbia, the PD will usually have their own more restrictive interpretation...

Pretty sure OP referring to Illinois I live in Mo and have ccw. In Mo I too could have concealed
Weapon without permit but during ccw class Illinois was a major part of discussion regarding whether border states reciprocate or not and Illinois demands weapon not accessible, given fold down rear seats that may be gray area. Thank goodness for my state!!!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

i almost forgot that there are states out there that will issue ccw permits but still not allow ccw in most public places.....

PaulKersey3 said:

Just a hypothetical here. Several states require a handgun be secured in the trunk while traveling. I was wondering if it would be okay to attach a firearm to the trunk side of a fold down 60/40 backseat. The gun would technically be in the trunk, yet wouldn't require a Chinese fire drill to retrieve it. Any thoughts?

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American ingenuity at its best! Great idea and legal to boot (though I'm not an attorney and do not play one on TV as they say)...

You get sideways with the wrong lawman, he can charge you for failure-to-do-right on the basis of whatever he can fit on a summons.

Then you get to pay handsomely to find out whether or not you were right. The lawman gets paid overtime for the same training.

Don't get cute about it... or at least don't get caught.