Trunk Gun: Smart Investment or Bad Idea?

[happygeek]

It would be illegal under Federal law wasn't a poll option.

Curious, where is it illegal under FED law?

Federal land of course.

If we are afraid that our car will be broken into every time we go out then why go out?

Heck you don't have to go out for that to happen, one of the two times my vehicle was broken into in the last few years was while it was parked at my apartment. They broke the window too, cost me over $100 to get it replaced. The first time my car got broken into they were considerate enough to jimmy the door. Weird thing is the second time it happened they didn't take anything, not that there was much besides a PT jacket to take. Guess they just wanted to start the Halloween vandalism early.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

When I travel with overnight sleeping required, I bring something. If no social shooting or hunting will be involved on the trip it's usually a semi auto 45. If shooting is involved its whatever I plan to shoot and maybe the 45.

As for a trunk gun, I want to do one. Work however has a no weapons policy for vehicles and I honor that.

 

[idcurrie]

All of these posts are regarding self defense.

I have a truck gun for a different reason.

Here in northern Canada, hitting deer, moose, and elk on the highway is very common.

It only took one experience of coming upon one such accident where no people were hurt but the moose was seriously injured and suffering. I wished that I had a firearm to dispatch him humanely.

I do, now.

 

[au01st]

If I'm in town, I have a .38 snubbie between the seats in a pocket holster. It lives there save for coming out once a week to get wiped down and when I go to the range. I keep a Maverick 88 in the trunk, along with a first aid kit, small air compressor, 1-man tent, etc. I also have a safe I installed in the trunk up on a ledge next to the spare tire (Grand Marquis). This safe will not come out without removing the back seats or opening the safe. It's not much, but you have to get into the trunk to remove it, where I can reach it with the key just by leaning over. Inside this safe is where the bolt from the Maverick 88 lives, along with lots of buckshot, turkey shot, and birdshot.

I also keep two cane fishing poles, a large machete, and a bag with spare clothes. I probably wouldn't normally keep all this gear in the back, but the trunk on that thing could hold 15 bodies if it had to, so all this stuff takes up maybe 1/4 to 1/3 of the useable trunk space. It's deep and I'm working on a false floor that will maintain a stock look, but that project is still in the works.

 

[bromdenlong]

I answered "Sometimes, taking extra security precautions", but I only did it once. During the Rodney King riots in L.A., I had a pistol-gripped 12 gauge behind the front seats, covered with a towel.

I was uncertain whether it was "legal" (as opposed to being Constitutionally protected), but I kept thin
king, "My name is not Reginald Denny".

It was the only gun I had at the time.

 

[kozak6]

My heart says "Yes!" but my mind says "Why?".

The impression I get is that most of us on this forum CCW anyways, and that a trunk gun is just another gun that's just more difficult to get to. Also, it seems like if you have access to your car, you would probably be better off driving away than voluntarily participating in a gunfight.

If it's part of an off road survival kit or BOB, that's a little different.

In my city, theft is a real risk. A good friend of mine lost a pistol this way, and my brother's truck was broken into a while back. Even tonight at work, some guy was trying to get into cars in the parking lot.

 

[RX-178]

I do HAVE a gun that I think of as my trunk gun, in that I built it up to be primarily (in my mind anyway) a defensive weapon.

One thing that I keep coming back to on my thought process, is that a trunk gun is one of the only instances where a defensive rifle/carbine makes SENSE. Yeah, home defense, sure, but you can do that with a shotgun for less than half the money of a rifle.

I do recognize I'm going about the rationale backwards, but there it is. When you're in your car, you ARE out of doors, and you are now in the one single situation where a threat can really be at rifle distances from you, no matter how unlikely that is. And by 'rifle distances', I'm not talking about 500 yards, or 300 yards, I mean anything where it's far enough that I'm probably not going to be effective with a pistol.

That's probably going to be something like 20 yards at the very most, unless the bad guy is out there doing a perfect imitation of an IPSC brown-man target.

All that being said, I do not KEEP this weapon in the trunk of my car on a daily, or even weekly basis. Really, the only times that the trunk gun goes in the trunk is when I'm driving somewhere out of town (usually out of state), and even then it's as much for having a rifle to take to the range wherever I'm staying, as much as it is a defensive weapon.

 

[22-rimfire]

Three scenarios could justify a trunk/truck gun for me; SHTF or survival situation, ranch rifle, pest/amimal control. Self defense is not one of my justifiations since it is unlikely I could ever use the gun for defensive purposes. For the most part, guns stashed in vehicles that are hard to get to are more offensive in their use.

 

[bhk]

Originally Posted by amoredman
Curious, where is it illegal under FED law?

Federal land of course.


What federal land are you talking about.

Truck guns are legal in national forests, national monuments, and national parks as long as they are legal outside of the park boundry. The only 'federal land' that I can think of the would be a problem would the federal building parking lots. Park on the street.

 

[holdencm9]

My heart says "Yes!" but my mind says "Why?".

Agreed. I kind of started this thread because in some ways I would like to keep a long gun in my car for the commute, and yes, if SHTF, it might be nice to have that back there, but since this board doesn't deal with SHTF/TEOTWAWKI and that is pretty unlikely anyway, from a strictly self-defense purpose, I think it is more trouble than its worth. It is a false sense of security.

Three scenarios could justify a trunk/truck gun for me; SHTF or survival situation, ranch rifle, pest/amimal control. Self defense is not one of my justifiations since it is unlikely I could ever use the gun for defensive purposes. For the most part, guns stashed in vehicles that are hard to get to are more offensive in their use.

Agreed. It also sounds like there is some consensus on the thread too. Most who keep trunk guns don't do it for SD, and those who do I hope feel comfortable justifying the risks and rewards. So I guess it is no surprise that the "depends" has the majority and the 24/7 and no way! options are split about evenly.

My only thing is (regarding the guns getting stolen) we can't advocate RKBA and argue against stricter gun control on the platform that "it does nothing to keep guns out of the hands of criminals" and then at the same time adopt a habit that greatly runs the risk of allowing our guns to get stolen. Yes, home break-ins happen too, but much rarer than cars, and most people keep most of their guns in a safe at home. But people will do what they feel comfortable with and that's their prerogative, I just hope I don't end up on the wrong side of one of YOUR guns after it gets stolen.

 

[JustinJ]

Three scenarios could justify a trunk/truck gun for me; SHTF or survival situation, ranch rifle, pest/amimal control. Self defense is not one of my justifiations since it is unlikely I could ever use the gun for defensive purposes. For the most part, guns stashed in vehicles that are hard to get to are more offensive in their use.

I'm almost afraid to ask but what SHTF do people envision where things go from everyday normal to battle in the streets over the course of a normal drive to or from home?

 

[jrdolall]

I realize that I live in a different world. I do not have to lock my vehicles at night in my driveway. My kids can ride their bikes 2 miles down the road and play with a friend. I can walk outside in my skivvies with a fully automatic AK-47(no, I don't have one) and empty three mags without anyone caring. I have deer in my yard every day. Our shooting range is about 75 yards from my front door. The sheriff hunts on my land so it is very common to see a sheriff vehicle parked near the road. My dogs patrol a 4 acre area around my house(they hate that underground fence) so any intruder MUST bring several large treats if he wants to come on the property.
There are no meth labs aywhere near me because the people who sold all this land in my area 20 years ago had all of the old cinderblock houses and shacks torn down. All of this property, nearly 30,000 acres, was sold in large lots and cannot be developed beyond personal living accomodations and necessary farm related outbuildings. No trailers and no campsites. The former owner, still alive and in an assisted living facility by the way, wanted it to remain "wild" and I had to agree to these provisions when I purchased the land. In 20 years this stipulation ends so the property could be developed if civilization is moving this way.
I live here because I prefer to live here and I worked my tail off to be able to afford it. I am 45 minutes from Walmart and 13 minutes from a gas station of any kind. My wife is a teacher so she drives 40 miles to work in a local school system every day. If I lived in an apartment complex, and I have lived in a few, or in any area with moderate to high crime rates I would not keep a gun in my vehicle.
I understand that breakins are common. That is one of the main reasons I bought where I did. Wildlife and NO PEOPLE. I have a pistol in my pocket pretty much 100% of the time as well as the seat pistol and the rifle in the back but the rifle is there as a ranch gun. The seat pistol is in a pocket holster between the seats and actually touches my right thigh while driving. I practice drawing the gun often as it is more accessible than even an OWB while I am sitting in the truck(F-150). I have no problem stopping to help a motorist with a flat tire in my area and have never had a problem but I am prepared if one ever occurs.

I guess it totally depends on each situation. I feel 100% comfortable based on my situation but certainly understand why others might not do things the way I do. Aren't we glad we have the option? I wonder how many people in England have this option?

 

[22-rimfire]

I didn't lock my vehicles in my driveway either and never felt compelled to do so in my neigborhood. BUT, trust me, even in good areas, things happen. I had several thousand dollars worth of stuff stolen out of my pickup parked in my driveway about 15 years ago. The take included a Glock M23. I have locked my vehicles ever since unless they are in the garage with the door down.

Remember a unattended garage door opener in your vehicle is like leaving a key lying in plain sight to your home especially if you keep the door between the garage and living portion of the house unlocked.

Don't ever believe that because you live in a good neighborhood or in a good area in general that a meth lab could not be in the house next door.

I do not advocate keeping a gun in your vehicle unless you simply don't care if you loose it and you are willing to accept the risk.

 

[nickn10]

I do because not having one leaves me with less options if a situation warrants it, and it is legal and that is reason enough for me.

 

[trauma]

My CC is a tool to get me back to my truck. The tools in my truck should get me home and if I can get home shame on you.

 

[Sam1911]

...and if I can get home shame on you.

Uhhh...what?

 

[jrdolall]

Don't ever believe that because you live in a good neighborhood or in a good area in general that a meth lab could not be in the house next door.

I would generally agree with this statement but "next door" to me is a good workout and every house within several miles is lived in by the owners of the land. I don't THINK that the people who can afford to buy this property would be cooking drugs but I guess you never know.

All situations are different. Isn't that what this thread is about? My current situation allows me to do things a bit differently than I would were I in another situation. I do not have a SHTF scenario other than i have plenty of guns and ammo if the scenario occurs on my land. Maybe I should look into getting one of those underground houses I have seen on "Preppers".

 

[IlikeSA]

I only do a trunk rifle (now a behind the seat gun with a truck) when I go on trips to the mountains or long distances. I always have my carry gun on me though. If 25 rounds of 45 ACP cannot get me out of a situation, I guess that is just too bad.

 

[45_auto]

Truck guns are legal in national forests, national monuments, and national parks as long as they are legal outside of the park boundry. The only 'federal land' that I can think of the would be a problem would the federal building parking lots. Park on the street.

It's illegal to have a firearm or ammo on most NASA installations, and they regularly do random vehicle searches both entering and leaving the gates. I'll try to take a picture of one of the signs at the gates at lunch if I remember it.

 

[Warp]

When traveling I almost always bring a rifle or shotgun, loaded mag, accessible. I don't want to be caught that far from home, in an unfamiliar location, on the highway/interstate, etc, and not have access to a long gun. The added benefit is that I then have a long gun at my destination.

If I had more guns and a good way to lock it up in the car I would keep one in there all the time.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would generally agree with this statement but "next door" to me is a good workout and every house within several miles is lived in by the owners of the land. I don't THINK that the people who can afford to buy this property would be cooking drugs but I guess you never know.

Money is not a barrier to addiction. I have seen half million dollar-plus homes that have had cooks in them. It may not be the owners per say, but what about the kids or the older kids that are still living there?

I often have a rifle with me in my vehicle if I am going to the woods. But it does not stay inside the vehicle unless I forget. Forget happens and my G23 bit the dust because I forgot and the vehicle was locked to boot. I have a policy of not leaving a gun inside my vehicle over night unless I have no other choice. That is much like my "never leave the keys in the ignition" policy when you leave your vehicle.

 

[rodregier]

"...a handgun is what you use to fight your way to a long gun"

 

[Auf Grosser Fahrt]

I voted 'No Way...', but not because it might get stolen, rather, I am not the only driver/user of my vehicle. And since I am not with the car at all times, I don't dare leave something dangerous in it.

 

[Claude Clay]

when a student asks about leaving a gun in the car ( urban CT) i generally answer that --you have the permit, not your car.
plan trips to known GFZ's with out the gun at all.
locking it in the car leaves you open to someone seeing you handling it and calling in a MWAG...brandishing will ruin your day and possibly cost you your permit.
also cars get stolen. so besides whats in them you have let loose ( ua, well thats how the press sees it) on the community a vile weapon. your twice the victim of a crime now.

 

[holdencm9]

I do because not having one leaves me with less options if a situation warrants it, and it is legal and that is reason enough for me.

Same exact thing could be said for leaving a loaded gun unlocked in your nightstand with kids in the home. It wasn't too long ago that that was perfectly legal too (in some states it is illegal to store a gun in a place easily accessible by children).

In both cases, there is a risk/benefit. Most people would say that the risk of a child hurting himself with a gun outweighs the benefit of leaving it loaded and unlocked to thwart crime, such that they put it in a bionic safe or quick-access safe. In the case of a trunk gun, the question is if the financial and moral risk outweighs the potential self defense benefit. Clearly, both cases illustrate that there is a stark difference between legal gun ownership and responsible gun ownership.

I'm almost afraid to ask but what SHTF do people envision where things go from everyday normal to battle in the streets over the course of a normal drive to or from home?

Zombies? j/k I can't picture any scenario myself.