Advice on Firearm ownership and routine traffic stop conduct

[outrun]

Okay I am a skeet shooter and may soon buy a Remington 870 Express Pump since I am sick of rental fees.

I feel I am both mature and responsible enough to assume my 2nd Amendment right...after all these years of the media scaring me out of personal ownership

But I am VERY confused. Reading online, talking to my trooper friends, watching cops etc has raised to many questions on transporting weapons without a CCW permit.

Yes, I know there is a methodological distinction between handguns and long guns

So suppose my shotgun is in the trunk with the bolt open and trigger locked in a carrying case. The magazine is empty and the ammuntion is separate.

A)What ammuntion location in the car would constitute "separate."

B) AFTER shooting I go to dinner and on the way home I am pulled over for a routine traffic stop.

Someone told me you only have the right of transport to and from the range...no restaurant point C.

Should I wait for the officer to ask for license/etc and say "by the way officer for your own safety I would like you to know that there is XXX gun locked in my trunk etc"

Or should I wait for him to ask "is there anything I should know about?"

Ya Ya I know I have the right to decline a search request without PC or warrant.

Then again from watching Cops they say often to the suspect "1st thing that should come out of your mouth when I pull you over is gun."

This is one reason I have not purchased a pistol.

It looks way to easy for a law abiding citizen to be slapped with a Felony charge due to all these confusing laws.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[OffOrWFO]

You're way over thinking this especially for Texas. As long as the rifle/shotgun is unloaded you are not breaking any laws. The ammo can be carried anywhere but it looks better if you have things well organized. I wouldn't offer any more info than necessary during a traffic stop. I don't thing a CCW permit has anything to do with long guns. Don't worry anything unless your carrying a loaded handgun within reach of the driver.

 

[Shannow]

Try down here.

All legally licenced firearms owners are on the National Criminal Database, alongside Pedos and the rest.

For a routine traffic stop, they radio through the registration number of the car, and get back the response "may be armed".

Not "legally owns a couple of .22s, a .223 bolt action, and a .44Mg lever action. Is a memeber of a club, and in fact holds two of the executive positions" (all on the database too).

Just "may be armed".

Having an officer unclip his holster, and tell you to stand clear of the vehicle is somewhat unsettling.

 

[Clement]

Dude, you're in Texas, don't worry about it. Up here in NY, Gun in a carrying case in the trunk, Ammo in a carrying case in the trunk. Regular traffic stops and whatnot, don't even mention it, it's none of their business and most likely they won't care. If the cops feel the need to search the car, you probally have much bigger problems than an unloaded gun in a locked case in your trunk.
You can transport the gun almost anywhere you want except, I believe, onto federal property, airport property (unless you're traveling with it), and anywhere near NYC.
The only problem with leaving a long gun in your car while at a restaurant is getting it stolen.

 

[medic]

I have to agree with Clement. I recently moved out of NY (about 50 miles south of Buffalo) and it was nothing to see a pickup truck with a gun rack in the back window carrying more than one shot gun or rifle. This is almost a regular find during deer season. You'll see them all over. Guy's never take the guns out except to hunt - they are in the vehicle for two straight weeks, regardless if the owner plans on hunting or not.

I'm sure NY laes have to be more strict that Texas laws.

 

[Doug]

I love my Remington 870. Nice shotgun for the price.

 

[hk33ka1]

The 870 is the best North American pump gun going these days. I prefer the Police or Wingmaster though.

In regards to the law, I don't know about Texas but in most places there is no such thing as a "routine stop" or "check" those are just code words for harrassment. Now in the event of a legititmate stop "speeding etc." you want to be in compliance with whatever Federal and State laws apply to your firearm ownership. It would be best to consult with, local or state police, The NRA, a lawyer. More than likely in most districts there is no problem with an unloaded gun in a case.

In Canada where I live I can carry my 870 in the car as long as it is unloaded. After dark it must be in a case. This is all the law says. There would be some exceptions say on Gov land or certain districts or cities that may have additional local law.

 

[MolaKule]

Come on man, you're only carrying a long arm and a shotgun to boot.


If you are stopped for any reason, put your hands on the steering wheel, shut off the engine, and only roll down the window or get out of the car if instructed.

When asked for insurance and ID, tell the officer where it is and tell him that's where your hands will be going. Don't make any sudden moves or lie about where things are.

Don't volunteer any info not asked for by the officer. That is your right.

I carry a S&W 685 (fully visible) on the front seat with me (unloaded) at all times with a speed loader close by. In our state that is perfectly legal.

If going through other states, I usually put the guns in a hardcase and in the trunk just in case I get stopped and searched.

If you have a concealed Carry permit, (as I do as well), the proper procedure is to declare, "Sir, I have a CC; how would you like to proceed?"

 

[1sttruck]

When I was target shooting on a regular basis I carried either my .22LR or 30.06 target rifles in their cases strapped on my back, on a motorcycle. It was about a 20 minute ride to the range, never got stopped.

 

[tundra30]

Check this out. You can carry a loaded shotgun just about anywhere in Texas.

 

[Pitbull]

www.packing.org check it out. It will answer your questions for the state you live in and the states you plan on traveling through. I've been a LEO and there is no reason during a normal traffic stop you would be asked for permission to have your car searched. You see this on Cops when they run into a dirt bag that comes back with warrents.

 

[poison]

Keep stuff locked in the trunk. Don't volunteer unless asked, then be clear about it. If asked, you are always going to or coming from the range. If it is really obvious you are not range-bound, say you had dropped it off for a friend to clean/mod/do trigger work etc.

A cop really isn't going to care if you are respectful, responsible, and have no prior record.

Make sure you get some professional instruction on gun handling since you are new.

Enjoy!

Nate