TexasCHLforum.com

I do not currently own a pickup but have had many in the past. (I drive way too far to work to afford the gas lately) Anyway, I was wondering what the laws in Texas are regarding having a loaded rifle behind the seat of a truck? My last truck was a 1998 Ford F150, regular cab.

My understanding for cars is it's OK to have one in the trunk, but this is obviously not an option for trucks (Honda Ridgeline being the exception ).

I know the law states you can have a handgun in your car, so maybe this is a stupid question? I have a TX CHL BTW.

Thanks!

in my Work truck i carry a mini 14 behind the seat with a full 20-rd mag in it and never had any problems .


300shooter

bluelineman wrote:I do not currently own a pickup but have had many in the past. (I drive way too far to work to afford the gas lately) Anyway, I was wondering what the laws in Texas are regarding having a loaded rifle behind the seat of a truck? My last truck was a 1998 Ford F150, regular cab.

My understanding for cars is it's OK to have one in the trunk, but this is obviously not an option for trucks (Honda Ridgeline being the exception ).

I know the law states you can have a handgun in your car, so maybe this is a stupid question? I have a TX CHL BTW.

Thanks!

Generally Texas does not restrict the carry of rifles or shotguns in vehicles. They must be of legal barrel and overall length.

txinvestigator wrote:Generally Texas does not restrict the carry of rifles or shotguns in vehicles. They must be of legal barrel and overall length.

Thanks!

What is the legal limit for barrel & overall length? Last I remember, the legal barrel length was 18", not sure of overall length.

Aside from hunting regulations, Texas does not restrict carry of long arms, except for those places all guns are banned. (There's also a restriction about paramilitary formations, such as parades.)

Texas law doesn't make any mention of loaded/unloaded status, for either handguns or long guns. If you can have it, you can have it loaded.

There is no obligation to keep a long gun out of sight, but it's a good idea for many obvious reasons. Jim Dark, president of TSRA, found himself on the receiving end of a hostile police interrogation while eating lunch at a Sonic, with Civil War muzzleloader on the seat beside him.

Some soccerninny saw the muzzeloader and called police in a dither. He was actually in danger of going to jail until the police supervisor showed up and educated his officers about the law.

Kevin

bluelineman wrote:

txinvestigator wrote:Generally Texas does not restrict the carry of rifles or shotguns in vehicles. They must be of legal barrel and overall length.

Thanks!

What is the legal limit for barrel & overall length? Last I remember, the legal barrel length was 18", not sure of overall length.

rifle 16" Barrel

shotgun 18" barrel

Both overall length 26"

I was curious about this as well, I am wanting to put an AR behind my seat(drive a Ram 1500).

Thanks for the education!

KBCraig wrote: There is no obligation to keep a long gun out of sight, but it's a good idea for many obvious reasons. Jim Dark, president of TSRA, found himself on the receiving end of a hostile police interrogation while eating lunch at a Sonic, with Civil War muzzleloader on the seat beside him.

Some soccerninny saw the muzzeloader and called police in a dither. He was actually in danger of going to jail until the police supervisor showed up and educated his officers about the law.

Kevin

Wonder what ever happened to the "EZ-Rider Rifle Racks" you used to see in the back windows of pickups years ago?

too many got stolen, so it became prudent to keep them out of sight.

I havea Sky-rack in my Suburban it holds the rifles to the headliner and is easy to get a rifle when needed .the big plus is you can't see it until your seted in the truck.


its great when your hunting a large pasture as the gun is not bouncing around the front seat.


300shooter

I too use to keep a shotgun in the back window of my pickup.. But now is under the seat. But I have a question about having a shotgun in the front of the vehicle like a patrol car. Is that legal? If so you could bolt a rack to the frame of the truck and then keep a 12Gauge Mossberg pistol grip there and when leaving the vehicle lock the gun to the rack. Just an idea..

WaltherP99 wrote:But I have a question about having a shotgun in the front of the vehicle like a patrol car. Is that legal?

Absolutely. There is no law against carrying a long gun open or concealed, loaded or not.

KBCraig wrote:

WaltherP99 wrote:But I have a question about having a shotgun in the front of the vehicle like a patrol car. Is that legal?

Absolutely. There is no law against carrying a long gun open or concealed, loaded or not.

Is that only regarding in your vehicle, or in general?

IE, is there a law that prevents a man from walking around with a carbine?

Not exactly, but if you were to, say, walk into a grocery store carrying a carbine you would likely be arrested for disorderly conduct. The key to that law is "a manner calculated to alarm."

Vehicles have nothing to do with it.

- Jim

cyphur wrote:

KBCraig wrote:

WaltherP99 wrote:But I have a question about having a shotgun in the front of the vehicle like a patrol car. Is that legal?

Absolutely. There is no law against carrying a long gun open or concealed, loaded or not.

Is that only regarding in your vehicle, or in general?

IE, is there a law that prevents a man from walking around with a carbine?

Texas Penal Code

§ 42.01. DISORDERLY CONDUCT. (a) A person commits an
offense if he intentionally or knowingly:
.

(8) displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a
public place in a manner calculated to alarm;