Texas Laws regarding carrying shotgun in car!

[Ben97XJ]

I was just wondering what the laws are for shotgun in a car?
Can if be within reach?
Can it be loaded? One in the chamber?
Does it have to be visible?
Can it be in a case behind the seat? But still easy to access?
Can it be laying in the back seat with a towel or it?


I am just wondering the ramifications of carrying a shotgun in a car and it still being accessible. This applies for TX specifically.

Thanks

 

[Infidel]

Here is the (slightly edited) text of a recent email exchange twixt me and Texas Department of Public Safety:


Your Web site and other resources explain the laws concerning concealed
handguns very well. However, I don't understand if long guns (rifles,
shotguns) are allowed in automobiles either concealed or not, loaded or
unloaded. Would you clarify that for me?

Thank you,

--
Infidel

Mr. Infidel,

Legal long guns may be carried anywhere in a vehicle - unrestricted.

I hope that coever your question.

Brad Zielinski
DPS Legal

 

[Ben97XJ]

Well that makes it easy. I always thought they could not be concealed if they were in reach of the driver?
I guess not.

 

[duckslayer]

Carry long guns in Texas to your heart's content! It's handguns only that we have to ask permission.

 

[Ben97XJ]

Thanks for the info!

 

[TexasRifleman]

Well, mostly. I am not sure but I think San Antonio has some F*'ed up local ordinances.

I know that you can't carry damn near any knife in San Antonio, and I've heard there are local ordinances around long guns.

The problem is, they put in preemption clauses in the CHL stuff, so it overrides local crap. With the long gun laws you still may be subject to those.

I carry an SBR AR (11.5" barrel) a lot. I know it's legal, but I get a lot of questions. Be careful.

 

[Lone Star]

Keep in mind that the basic penal code laws don't address the fish and game laws.

If in a rural area, the game warden may enforce additional regs concerning loaded guns in cars.

Lone Star

 

[GhostRider66]

Interesting portion to this is that many years back a lot of local counties/municipalities started trying to prosecute folks for "brandishing". Another vague law subject to the person claiming the offense and locals' interpretation. That's one of the main reasons people stopped carrying them in the racks in pickup trucks.

 

[duckslayer]

I believe the state has preemption over all firearm laws, so San Antonio can't (or shouldn't) have an ordinance saying one cannot carry a long gun in a vehicle. Of course, keep in mind that people who open carry handguns lawfully in states that allow it are sometimes arrested on disorderly conduct or some bogus charge, and that is the city's way of skirting firearm preemption, so that may be the case here...I don't know.