loaded rifle in vehicle

[Venus Pax]

In Texas, can you legally carry a loaded rifle or shotgun in your vehicle?
If so, does it have to be concealed?

[Charles L. Cotton]

Yes you can and it doesn't have to be concealed.

Chas.

[rbraughn]

Mr Cotton,

Along the same lines, is it also true that there are some situations where you could get in trouble for carrying the rifle in the open?

For instance, most people, especially in rural areas are used to seeing shotguns and rifles in the back windows of pickups all of the time no problems.

But what if you carry a tricked out AR-15 or Ak-47 in the rack driving through Friendswood or downtown Houston and soccer moms get nervous and make several calls the police. I understand you can't get arrested for a weapons violation, but can you be asked to remove it by the Police and if you refuse be subject to some sort of charges for DOC/ Failure to obey lawful order... or something similar for causing panic/fear to the public?

just curious

[txinvestigator]

The police cannot order you to stop doing something that is not against the law.

Of course I am not talking about keeping you from crime scenes, staying away from burning buildings, etc.

There have been several threads here regarding rifle/shotgun carry, and I have listed MANY laws you need to be aware of. A search will reveal much.

[aardwolf]

Don't drive through the front doors of a court or other prohibited place if you have a rifle in the car.

[seamusTX]

You could get in touble with an outdoor school activity, also. The exemption to the federal "gun-free school zone" (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) is only for CHLers.

- Jim

[txinvestigator]

You could get in touble with an outdoor school activity, also. The exemption to the federal "gun-free school zone" (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) is only for CHLers.

- Jim

School exclusions apply to all firearms under state law.

He needs to read Texas Penal Code 46.03, 42.01 (a)(8) and 22.05

[stoneface]

School exclusions apply to all firearms under state law.

Just to clarify: This means that with my CHL, I can legally carry a loaded rifle onto school grounds (but not inside the premises, nor where there is an organized activity outside, etc.)?

[flintknapper]

School exclusions apply to all firearms under state law.

Just to clarify: This means that with my CHL, I can legally carry a loaded rifle onto school grounds (but not inside the premises, nor where there is an organized activity outside, etc.)?

You don't need a CHL to carry or transport any "legal" long-arm anywhere it is legal to do so.

[stoneface]

You don't need a CHL to carry or transport any "legal" long-arm anywhere it is legal to do so.

Right . . . but since it would normally not be legal to bring a rifle onto school grounds, I'm wondering if with a CHL it is legal (just as it is illegal to bring a handgun onto school grounds but legal with CHL). I'm asking because the point has been made in other threads that it's a Concealed Handgun License and doesn't necessarily apply to other items (illegal knives, clubs . . .). Of course this is mostly hypothetical, since I live in the middle of Ft. Worth and can't really think of any good reasons for driving around with a loaded rifle . . . not that you need a "good" reason

[Mike1951]

No! Your CHL provides no authority pertaining to long guns.

[seamusTX]

Please go here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/922.html

And look at section (q)(2).

- Jim

[rguerra911]

there was a who had a hunting rifle in his truck on school grounds the other day. a security guard was patroling and happen to see the rifle in his truck and the kid was pulled out of class and was suspended for 3 days and is now facing being expelled.

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2008/1/15/98 ... ent-s-Fate

[txinvestigator]

School exclusions apply to all firearms under state law.

Just to clarify: This means that with my CHL, I can legally carry a loaded rifle onto school grounds (but not inside the premises, nor where there is an organized activity outside, etc.)?

No, under state law you can carry a rifle onto the parking lots, walkways, etc.,