BonnieBlue
New member
I don't wear my hat indoors.
Is carrying an AR 15 in your car Legal? Right? or just Wrong
- Thread starter Doug.38PR
- Start date
Look, you're not going to convince me that I have to give up my common sense to be a supporter of second amendment rights. I never said people shouldn't carry AR-15s in their cars. I said I don't think it's necessary.
You'll never catch me carrying an AR-15 in my car! But that's only because I'm an AK guy.
But really, I just don't think an AR, AK, SAW, M60 etc. would do me any good in a defensive situation. First of all, I'd never be able to get to it in time. Second, I'd overpenetrate every target I hit even if I did get to it. And finally' I'd probably have to deal with a prosecutor waiving a "scary" looking evil black gun in front a jury that doesn't know squat about guns as he twists the facts and paints me to be a crazed vigilante out for a fight at the expense of public safety. So, yes, I do think an AR would do more harm than good.
motorep,
South Texas in the Valley is one area of the United States where I would DEFINATELY carry an AR-15 in the back of my car...LOADED and READY to go at a moment's notice with my CCW on my person at ALL times. PLUS, I would be sure I had another ARMED companion with me at all times. That place IS a war zone. This includes metropolitan areas like Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo. Between illegal aliens, corrupt officials, the Mexican mafia and drug cartel members, it is a place where people go and are never seen again...or if they are they are not breathing.
I would say that it is time to get our men out of Iraq and LONG time overdue to get them down on the border. Col. Robert E. Lee once said it would take 10,000 men to control the South Texas and Northern Mexican area.....that was in 1858 or '59....it is still true today.
long gun
When I was younger, it was not uncommon to see a deer rifle or shot gun, or .22 in the rifle rack of pickups. This was in Northern New York State! Now I live much further west, and it is still seen once in a while.
For anything I can think of that you might need to do as a private individual (not LEO), an AR would not be my choice for a truck gun. Too expensive if stolen, or taken by police, minor caliber, and scary to the soccer moms. A good ol boy Winchester or Marlin .30-30 (or better yet, a bigger cal) should handle the job nicely.
Lots of people today are hung up on firepower, whether they realize it or not. Just look at this thread, "should one carry an AR in your car?" Not a rifle, not a long gun, an AR15!
This is not meant as any kind of a flame, just an observation on where people focus.
For more than the last 30 years, entertainment media has shown us almost nothing but good guys and bad guys blasting the crap out of everything! And getting it wrong most of the time!
This seems to have had an effect on some of our thinking. Don't get me wrong, I like things with large mags, they are alot of fun, and we all should have some and know how to use them. It is our civic duty as milita members (unorganized). The example where a farmer used his .30-30 and ONE AIMED round to rescue the pinned down police officer is reasonable (even proper) but firefights are best left to the guys who get paid for it. It's not our job. I think a man with a nonparamilitary type rifle could hold out until help arrives.
I know that this is America, and many people think more is always better, so 20 or 30 on tap has got to be better than 5 or 6 or 7, right? Unless you are fighting off the dreaded mass zombie attack (who don't care about being shot), I can't come up with any situation where that much firepower is needed. If you make the first or second shot count (better yet first AND second) who is going to be stupid enough to keep on coming?
If an AR is what you have, and you want to keep it with you, go ahead, just remember, non-shooters see NOTHING but the abuse and misuse of tactical type firearms every time they turn on a TV, so be prepared for some people to freak out.
When I was younger, it was not uncommon to see a deer rifle or shot gun, or .22 in the rifle rack of pickups. This was in Northern New York State! Now I live much further west, and it is still seen once in a while.
For anything I can think of that you might need to do as a private individual (not LEO), an AR would not be my choice for a truck gun. Too expensive if stolen, or taken by police, minor caliber, and scary to the soccer moms. A good ol boy Winchester or Marlin .30-30 (or better yet, a bigger cal) should handle the job nicely.
Lots of people today are hung up on firepower, whether they realize it or not. Just look at this thread, "should one carry an AR in your car?" Not a rifle, not a long gun, an AR15!
This is not meant as any kind of a flame, just an observation on where people focus. For more than the last 30 years, entertainment media has shown us almost nothing but good guys and bad guys blasting the crap out of everything! And getting it wrong most of the time!
This seems to have had an effect on some of our thinking. Don't get me wrong, I like things with large mags, they are alot of fun, and we all should have some and know how to use them. It is our civic duty as milita members (unorganized). The example where a farmer used his .30-30 and ONE AIMED round to rescue the pinned down police officer is reasonable (even proper) but firefights are best left to the guys who get paid for it. It's not our job. I think a man with a nonparamilitary type rifle could hold out until help arrives.I know that this is America, and many people think more is always better, so 20 or 30 on tap has got to be better than 5 or 6 or 7, right? Unless you are fighting off the dreaded mass zombie attack (who don't care about being shot), I can't come up with any situation where that much firepower is needed. If you make the first or second shot count (better yet first AND second) who is going to be stupid enough to keep on coming?
If an AR is what you have, and you want to keep it with you, go ahead, just remember, non-shooters see NOTHING but the abuse and misuse of tactical type firearms every time they turn on a TV, so be prepared for some people to freak out.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
If there is an area where you think you have to carry an AR and have an armed companion - don't go there. That isn't rocket science.
Doug - if you live in TX, have you taken advantage of all the fine training opportunities we have? That might introduce some reality into your evaluations of firearms usage.
No offense, but I will repeat that you always sound like you are looking for a gun fight despite your protestations that you are not.
My mall scenario was designed to point out that if a major incident broke out in today's world, a civilian running to the battle with a long arm may not be a help. The Texas Tower was a unique incident.
Defending your home in a natural disaster is different also. One can carry a full bug out bag in one's car. I assume you do. One does what one thinks is reasonable but the emphasis should be on avoidance.
Joining a high firepower incident is not a good plan for a civilian. If one was in the incident, hopefully one could do the right thing. Running towards the sounds of cannons is not wise.
Doug - if you live in TX, have you taken advantage of all the fine training opportunities we have? That might introduce some reality into your evaluations of firearms usage.
No offense, but I will repeat that you always sound like you are looking for a gun fight despite your protestations that you are not.
My mall scenario was designed to point out that if a major incident broke out in today's world, a civilian running to the battle with a long arm may not be a help. The Texas Tower was a unique incident.
Defending your home in a natural disaster is different also. One can carry a full bug out bag in one's car. I assume you do. One does what one thinks is reasonable but the emphasis should be on avoidance.
Joining a high firepower incident is not a good plan for a civilian. If one was in the incident, hopefully one could do the right thing. Running towards the sounds of cannons is not wise.
For the Record: I just started carrying the AR in my car today 
. I put a good coat of oil on it, put it under the backseat of my truck UNLOADED. Put one of those Firearm Safety Device chain things through the AR-15's handle and looped it around one of the support legs attached between the seat and the floor and locked it with the key securing the rifle. Then I put a plastic 30 round magazine of FMJ .223 in the glove compartment. The rifle is well hidden, unloaded, chained down secured and therefore unthreatening to any officer who might happen to find some kind of probable cause/warrent to search my car.
Not a problem at all. In fact, I feel that the gun is better off where it is than it is in it's rifle bag hidden in my current place of occupancy (house or hotel)
. I put a good coat of oil on it, put it under the backseat of my truck UNLOADED. Put one of those Firearm Safety Device chain things through the AR-15's handle and looped it around one of the support legs attached between the seat and the floor and locked it with the key securing the rifle. Then I put a plastic 30 round magazine of FMJ .223 in the glove compartment. The rifle is well hidden, unloaded, chained down secured and therefore unthreatening to any officer who might happen to find some kind of probable cause/warrent to search my car.Not a problem at all. In fact, I feel that the gun is better off where it is than it is in it's rifle bag hidden in my current place of occupancy (house or hotel)
doesn't having it chained down, unloaded and stored without ammo make it virtually useless? I mean, if you have to retreat to your truck to retrieve it, wouldn't this be an opportune time to mate gas pedal with floorboard and get out of harms way? More than that, in a high-stress situation do you really think you will be able to find your keys, unlock, load, chamber and bring to bare this weapon before you are cut down by the aggressor? I know officers who had a tough time removing their chambered weapon from retention holsters during high-stress training. It really sounds to me like you want to carry your AR in your truck. You do have that right, but why not just say "I want to carry my AR in my truck" and leave it at that? All this talk about the tactical aspect and "...just in case..." reasons for carrying such a weapon is virtually nonsensical given the method of carry you are employing. If you want to carry your AR "just because" go ahead, but don't jab the rest of us with the BS stick by furnishing all these SHTF scenarios when clearly, the best response would be to simply evacuate the scene of such a scenario given the fact that you are already at your vehicle.
VUPD,
Call it a last line of defense. If my handgun is not enough. If my car can't go anywhere (blocked in) and I have time to get to the it then the AR-15 is handy to have.
If I can get to my carkeys then I can get to my gunlock keys, they are on the same keychain in my pocket at all times.
As for the time it takes to lock and load, if I don't have time to duck down and get it out and prepare it (which I estimate can be done within 30 seconds. Maybe less, but I haven't had opportunity to try it...don't think the neighbors would understand my whipping out and fooling with an AR next to my car in the driveway
) then I am probably going to die anyway. It is a last line of defense, not a first option and not something I seek to use. Nor do I look forward to WWIII in my town.
Call it a last line of defense. If my handgun is not enough. If my car can't go anywhere (blocked in) and I have time to get to the it then the AR-15 is handy to have.
If I can get to my carkeys then I can get to my gunlock keys, they are on the same keychain in my pocket at all times.
As for the time it takes to lock and load, if I don't have time to duck down and get it out and prepare it (which I estimate can be done within 30 seconds. Maybe less, but I haven't had opportunity to try it...don't think the neighbors would understand my whipping out and fooling with an AR next to my car in the driveway
) then I am probably going to die anyway. It is a last line of defense, not a first option and not something I seek to use. Nor do I look forward to WWIII in my town.Glockamolie
New member
I can see where a longgun of choice could come in handy under certain (limited) circumstances. I have a 15 year old Maverick 18.5" 12 gauge that no longer has a particluar purpose (I have better and newer available), so it rides in the trunk. I have it loaded with slugs, and some 00 Buck with it. It's current value is probably about $50, so I wouldn't be devastated if it was stolen.
This is probably the most intelligent thought so far. You sold me. I just can't hear many more of the SHTF scenarios played out on this board. If you are going to carry your AR as a last line weapon, thats your business. Just be sure to practice being able to retrieve that thing, and as for the neighbors, pull on into the garage and practice there. As long as you are clear that escape is usually the best option, and that the rifle comes last, you might just be OK. I personally don't think keeping my AR in the truck is worth it for many reasons, but like I said, that's your business
mohomesteading
Inactive
I prefer a SMLE or other bolt gun myself
Nothing against the AR-15, but for a ride around long gun, I prefer a SMLE rifle or carbine or other bolt gun with a 10 round detachable magazine and/or stripper clip loader provision over the semi-auto AR-15/M1A pattern. I see my long gun as a "get my body out of the area" item if my vehicle is disabled or blocked to the point I can't evade the threat that way. It is also a "last stand weapon if I can't retreat any farther and have to protect myself.
Also, given the "tacticool high-speed-low-drag" mentality of the deputies in my county, I wouldn't call on them to save me from a gang of cannibalistic serial killers. (hyperbole off now) I overheard one deputy who is on the SWAT team here (small rural county department - road deputies make up the SWAT team) who owns a gun store telling a customer about his newest, greatest new weapon, a RRA Government Model AR-15 based on the DEA version. He told his customer he bought it to replace his M1A because with the EOTech holosight he could have accurate fire from 1 foot out to 1,000 yards. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. This is a guy who tells every customer that the gun they just purchased from him "is as accurate as a laser beam" regardless if it is a match grade precision rifle or a Kel-Tec or Hi-Point handgun. With examples of LEOs like that, I prefer to let them handle their own problems. If they get killed because of their attitude and arrogance, so be it. I don't want to be a part of it.
I prefer to be left alone, but I don't retreat from my home or homestead. I avoid conflict so that I don't have to kill someone unless they refuse to leave me alone when I am bothering no one on and in my own property.
I will not aid any LEO because I am morally opposed to supporting the new Gestapo recruits that have come on the scene. The older LEOs who are now reserve officers, whom I know, I would help if they needed it, but not the new ones. If the newbies want to draw blood left and right to make them feel manly, they can die young.
Nothing against the AR-15, but for a ride around long gun, I prefer a SMLE rifle or carbine or other bolt gun with a 10 round detachable magazine and/or stripper clip loader provision over the semi-auto AR-15/M1A pattern. I see my long gun as a "get my body out of the area" item if my vehicle is disabled or blocked to the point I can't evade the threat that way. It is also a "last stand weapon if I can't retreat any farther and have to protect myself.
Also, given the "tacticool high-speed-low-drag" mentality of the deputies in my county, I wouldn't call on them to save me from a gang of cannibalistic serial killers. (hyperbole off now) I overheard one deputy who is on the SWAT team here (small rural county department - road deputies make up the SWAT team) who owns a gun store telling a customer about his newest, greatest new weapon, a RRA Government Model AR-15 based on the DEA version. He told his customer he bought it to replace his M1A because with the EOTech holosight he could have accurate fire from 1 foot out to 1,000 yards. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. This is a guy who tells every customer that the gun they just purchased from him "is as accurate as a laser beam" regardless if it is a match grade precision rifle or a Kel-Tec or Hi-Point handgun. With examples of LEOs like that, I prefer to let them handle their own problems. If they get killed because of their attitude and arrogance, so be it. I don't want to be a part of it.
I prefer to be left alone, but I don't retreat from my home or homestead. I avoid conflict so that I don't have to kill someone unless they refuse to leave me alone when I am bothering no one on and in my own property.
I will not aid any LEO because I am morally opposed to supporting the new Gestapo recruits that have come on the scene. The older LEOs who are now reserve officers, whom I know, I would help if they needed it, but not the new ones. If the newbies want to draw blood left and right to make them feel manly, they can die young.
FireBreather01
New member
:barf:
mohomesteading
Inactive
I will qualify that quoted section above
What you quoted is me speaking for my local area alone. I have to interact with them with my job as a newspaper reporter at public events. I also visit the competition to my gunsmithing shop by visiting the other gun shops in the area. Only the older guys, in their late 50s and older, seem to understand the spirit of the law and doing the morally/ethically right thing. The new guys go on power trips and single me out since I am a reporter and refuse to go easy on them when they screw up and I write stories about it.
Their actions and words are what I go by, not just the fact they take issue with me and my job.
What you quoted is me speaking for my local area alone. I have to interact with them with my job as a newspaper reporter at public events. I also visit the competition to my gunsmithing shop by visiting the other gun shops in the area. Only the older guys, in their late 50s and older, seem to understand the spirit of the law and doing the morally/ethically right thing. The new guys go on power trips and single me out since I am a reporter and refuse to go easy on them when they screw up and I write stories about it.
Their actions and words are what I go by, not just the fact they take issue with me and my job.
