Rifles and Motorcycles: A Legal Combo?

[Jackal]

Hi guys ( and gals ). I have one for you that might just stump ya. Is transporting a rifle or shotgun, unloaded, slung across your back while riding a street motorcycle legal? I assume it would be, as transporting it the same way in a car or truck is legal in this state, WA. I ride my motorcycle almost everywhere (its a 2000 Husqvarna TE410 for those here who know bikes) and I find myself in quite the predicament when I purchase a long gun and realize I have to go back the next day in my vehicle to pick it up. It would be so much easier to just sling it across my back and ride home. Imagine the frantic looks from people downtown... a young guy on a dirtbike (street legal), with a Rem 870 strapped to his back.... Anywho, whats your take on the legality of this? Note: I should add I have my concealed pistol permit.

 

[jaak]

i think if open carry is legal and/or you have a conceal carry permit, it would be legal.

 

[Cosmoline]

The devil is in the code. Check it for details on legal transport of a firearm. When I carry that way I will typically put the rifle in a sock with holes cut for the sling, which works for me because I have a special quick release on the front end.

 

[Jackal]

i think if open carry is legal and/or you have a conceal carry permit, it would be legal.

Open carry is legal in my state/county, though it is somewhat of a gray area.

The devil is in the code. Check it for details on legal transport of a firearm.

Thats the problem, I cant find anything about motorcycle transport. Should I assume its the same as any other motorized vehicle?

 

[BikerNut]

Check with the authorities

Call your State Police and ask them -- they will know the exact answer.

My friend's son was stopped for speeding on his Triumph. The State Trooper then asked him (why?) if he was carrying any firearms. Not wanting to lie, he admitted having an unloaded .40 XP handgun in his backpack, which he was taking to his dad's house for a day of plinking.

He was arrested for illegal transport of a firearm, and the gun was confiscated. The charges were eventually dismissed, probably because it was an unwarranted search. But that was AFTER $5000 for the lawyer.

A rifle is hard to cover up on a motorcycle, and you can't be discrete. If the State Police say it's OK, make sure it's unloaded, breech open, and I would recommend a canvas rifle case with a sling on it. It will be less likely to arouse alarm from those wild and crazy gun-banners... plus you won't have to worry about your Husky's rear knobbie slinging mud on it.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

It's generally a gray area in the law. Or one entirely not addressed.

As an aside, I wouldn't ride with the long gun on my person in case of an accident. I'd make a scabbard and use it for transport.

But, I wouldn't hesitate to transport the gun on a bike.
You bought a Husky?

 

[Jackal]

You bought a Husky?

Haha, yup and guess what.... It'll outrun just about anything made from 0-60 and roll on wheelie in the first 4 gears. Just gotta love 40+ horsepower in a 250lb bike.

 

[ilbob]

My friend's son was stopped for speeding on his Triumph. The State Trooper then asked him (why?) if he was carrying any firearms. Not wanting to lie, he admitted having an unloaded .40 XP handgun in his backpack, which he was taking to his dad's house for a day of plinking.

He was arrested for illegal transport of a firearm, and the gun was confiscated. The charges were eventually dismissed, probably because it was an unwarranted search. But that was AFTER $5000 for the lawyer.

If this incident happened in Illinois, and the gun was not in a recognizable gun case inside the backpack, there is a good chance he was transporting the gun illegally.

Once again, though, the reason why you don't make small talk with cops. BTW, not answering is not the same thing as lying, but when a cop is asking you something, most people are conditioned to answer truthfully. They then use that response against you.

 

[MGshaggy]

As others in this thread have said, its highly dependant on state law, and even then probably a grey area. If you do decide to do it, I'd sling it on the bike or my back in a soft case, preferably with a small luggage lock or zip-tie on the zipper so as to make it more difficult for the cops to argue the gun inside was easily accessable to you. It would also be a good idea to use a trigger lock or cable lock through the action while in the case, and (obviously) keep the ammo, if any, in a seperate area or compartment from the gun.

 

[Cosmoline]

I doubt there's anything about motorcycle transport. Look at the code provision regarding transportation of firearms. Most states have some rules about keeping them unloaded and cased in transit.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Haha, yup and guess what.... It'll outrun just about anything with four wheels from 0-60 and roll on wheelie in the first 4 gears. Just gotta love 40+ horsepower in a 250lb bike.

Fixed that for you. 350lb bikes with 100+ hp win.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Put yourself in a policeman's shoes. You're sitting in your car, you see someone on a bike with a shotgun strapped to their back ride by. What is the first thing that will pop into your head? I'd pull the person over just to be safe. In addition, 911 will probably flooded with "man on bike with gun" calls.

 

[KBintheSLC]

I have been struggling with the same issue. I ride a bike, and I can't tell for the life of me how to legally transport a rifle on it.

For now, I am using a tennis racquet case for my Yugo underfolder and slinging it over my shoulder... my other rifles wont work that way.

With oil the way it is, States will have to get more specific on motorcycle definitions.

 

[Jackal]

Fixed that for you. 350lb bikes with 100+ hp win.

Haha, I'll still take the holeshot. I outpaced a guy on a Vmaxx from 0-60. Once we hit about 65 though, I ran out of gears and he flew by.:banghead: Here's a pic of my baby. I had supermoto tires for a while, but went back to knobs.

 

[Jackal]

My states RCW's barely mention vehicle transport and even then, its just basically "leave rifle unloaded". I'm sure I could do it if I put it in a soft case of some sort. At least that way people wont panic and call 911 thinking theres a terrorist on a bike with a rifle.

 

[Prince Yamato]

For now, I am using a tennis racquet case for my Yugo underfolder and slinging it over my shoulder

Try soft-shell guitar cases from Guitar Center for larger rifles.

 

[Cosmoline]

I ride a bike, and I can't tell for the life of me how to legally transport a rifle on it.

I either keep mine in a frame-fixed scabbard or on the BOB trailer. I transport it unloaded and cased so I don't see any legal problems at least in this state (AK).

 

[chris in va]

Just be sure to wear your camo.

Seriously though, a while back I headed to the trap range on my motorcycle. Put the shotgun in a hard plastic case, bungee'd it to the back seat. Looked like my bike had wings, but worked. Passed more than one cop too.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Try soft-shell guitar cases from Guitar Center for larger rifles.

Good idea... I already have one and will have to give it a try. I am betting that a luggage lock on the zipper would be a good idea just in case.

 

[kierkegaard]

'cross town traffic

I have done this twice in Tucson, perhaps 15 years ago.

-k

 

[Cosmoline]

One safety issue--I was riding last year on the bike with a Mosin slung in a sock. I passed a pedestrian and thwapped him in the back with the stock accidentally because the rifle had started getting more horizontal as I rode and I didn't notice. Thankfully I wasn't going overly fast and he was fine. If he had been a car or I'd been going faster it could have been bad. So watch your overhang!

 

[Armueller2001]

Call your State Police and ask them -- they will know the exact answer.

My friend's son was stopped for speeding on his Triumph. The State Trooper then asked him (why?) if he was carrying any firearms. Not wanting to lie, he admitted having an unloaded .40 XP handgun in his backpack, which he was taking to his dad's house for a day of plinking.

He was arrested for illegal transport of a firearm, and the gun was confiscated. The charges were eventually dismissed, probably because it was an unwarranted search. But that was AFTER $5000 for the lawyer.

I'm confused. The IL transportation of firearms says

"Under Unlawful Use of Weapons (UUW) in the
Criminal Code, persons who have been
issued a valid FOID card may transport a
firearm anywhere in their vehicle or on their
person as long as the firearm is unloaded and
enclosed in a case, firearm carrying box,
shipping box, or other container. Firearms that
are not immediately accessible or are broken
down in a non-functioning state may also be
carried or transported under the Criminal
Code. The Wildlife Code, however, is more
restrictive. It requires that all firearms transported
in or on any vehicle be unloaded and in
a case.
Because of this, it is recommended that, in
order to be in compliance with all statutes, all
firearms be transported:
1. Unloaded and,
2. Enclosed in a case, and
3. By persons who have a valid FOID card."

What is the appropriate way to refuse an answer to a LEO's question about if you have any firearms?

I keep my 9mm unloaded, in a zipper case with the magazine, under my seat. I also keep a copy of the Illinois Criminal Code section 720 for any ignorant LEO's I may come across. Makes it a lot harder for them to claim they "didn't know" when I hand them a copy of the law.

 

[anarchris]

Don't call the police!

Call your State Police and ask them -- they will know the exact answer.

If cops knew the law, we would pay them lots more and call them lawyers.

The City Attorney maybe, or the NRA or someone here could post revelant
WA law....but not the cops.

You should edit your title to your post so it says what state your in so somebody from your state can answer it.

I carried rifles on bikes in a gallati case in SF a few years ago, no problems from cops.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

As is the case with nearly all open carry, even if it's legal, you can still be cited for ambiguous "disturbing the peace" charges. Legal or not, a biker with a long gun slung on his back is going to cause some soccer moms to grab the cell phone. Be prepared for what may come.

 

[Zoogster]

Just be sure to wear your camo.

That is actualy not a street legal motorcycle so they would be stopped anyways.


I actualy once had this issue in CA.

I purchased a long gun, my other vehicle broke down during the waiting period and I had to pick it up at the end of the waiting period with a motorcycle.

It was a long gun, and I was a bit stumped.

I concealed it and rode home with what looked like regular supplies strapped to the bike. I have picked up things from places like home depot the same way so it didn't look that abnormal.

Technicaly it should be legal under the law, but I would not want to be stopped or challenge a charge in court.
Under CA law the firearms illegal to conceal are "any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person"
The spirit of the law clearly describing handguns and not long arms. SBR and SBS are not legal in the state so that is not even a consideration.

Tossed it in a trash bag and strapped it to the seat with the muzzle pointing rearwards. I guess that could be bad muzzle control, but then so are most gun racks that point them at cars alongside.

Had no issues and it was a gun shop a couple hour's drive away that had a good deal.