Is packing a gun big trouble??

Kem Poyner

Kem Poyner

EF2
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
142
Location
Mesa Arizona
I am in the process of buying a Suburban truck strictly for chasing. I will probably sleep in it on some occasions in the back. I have Tracvision and monitors as well as all the other expensive gear. My biggest fear is to be awaked by someone trying to break in during the night while im inside.
Would I get into alot of trouble if I kept a 38 pistol near me while sleeping? It would otherwise be unloaded and packed away.
 
Here in TX it would be ok. You don't have to possess a concealed permit to carry a pistol in your vehicle.
 
In most states you can carry a handgun in your vehicle as long as you keep it out in plain sight and keep the ammo separate from the gun. Like keeping it out in your passenger seat with the ammo in the back. You have to do this unless you get a concealed carry permit, and then you can keep it loaded and hidden if you want, but you have to be sure that the state you're travelling to recognizes that permit, otherwise it's useless when you're out of state. Anyways, yes and no...lol! Just don't conceal the thing without a permit.
 
Brandon Goforth said:
In most states you can carry a handgun in your vehicle as long as you keep it out in plain sight and keep the ammo separate from the gun. Like keeping it out in your passenger seat with the ammo in the back. You have to do this unless you get a concealed carry permit, and then you can keep it loaded and hidden if you want, but you have to be sure that the state you're travelling to recognizes that permit, otherwise it's useless when you're out of state. Anyways, yes and no...lol! Just don't conceal the thing without a permit.
Click to expand...

First, the best and only advice to give is to check out each state that you're going to be traveling in to find out what their laws are.

The bad thing about asking a question such as this in a non-gun forum is that you're going to get a lot of answers, and some may be from misinformed individuals.

Second, keeping a gun out on your seat is a VERY BAD idea. If a passing motorist sees it they'll probably call 911 on you. Also, if you do get pulled over (speeding, changing lanes w/ no signal, whatever) and a cop walks up and sees a gun out on the seat, you'll probably be taken out at gun point and cuffed until he/she figures out what is going on. Trying to cover it up will only make matters worse.

Getting a Concealed Weapons Permit or a Personal Protection Permit (or any variation of it) will probably be your best bet. It will show that you care about the law and you're not just some gun toting madman. :D

Oh, and for everyone's sake, take some classes on how to shoot. No one likes random bullets flying through the air.
 
This actually raises a very good question that I have been pondering for a few years now. Have any of you had an experience while chasing in which you became more concerned about another individual than the weather? I have had two encounters while chasing that have caused me to consider arming myself while chasing. Both of mine occured while I was on a public street or highway (not on private property) and involved a territorial local who didn't like the idea of me sitting near their property observing the weather. Both were armed when they confronted me. Both threatened me by making it clear that they were armed and telling me to leave. I complied because I refuse to be the first chaser to die from being shot in the face instead of tornadoes, lightning, gorilla hail, or floods.

I spoke to a media chaser recently who told me a very concerning tale regarding an encounter he had a couple of years ago in northwest Oklahoma. He relayed a story where someone drove up on him while out watching a night storm and talked to him for a while and then the guy slowly reached over into his passenger seat and grabbed what appeared to be a pistol, then asked if he could come over into the chasers vehicle to look at the radar and started to get out of his car. The chaser then quickly made up an excuse to leave and got the hell out of there.

In my examples, introducing my own weapon into the situation would have escalated the incident into violence, and the best move is and was to comply and move on. I am not suggesting that every encounter should erupt into gun play, but in the media chasers situation and the situation I posted below, would being armed help provide one with some added security that may determine the difference between life and death?

He and I discussed the pro's and con's of armed chasing and there are more con's than pro's, but our experiences really have me thinking about whether or not it would be a good idea. Due to the con's I don't think I ever will, but what are some thoughts of others?
 
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In fact, now that I think about it, I remember reading in one of Gary England's books about one of their chasers actually being randomly shot while out observing a storm. A car drove by, rolled down the window, and shot the media chaser. There are some really strange and troubled people out there.
 
I see no problem as long as you are licensed, learn how to properly use a firearm, and follow any and all applicable state and/or local laws. I own firearms, but I'm very careful to always follow any applicable state laws. I've never been in a situation while chasing where I felt the need to use a firearm, but I suppose it could happen. Just remember that there are 50 states, which means you have 50 sets of laws to abide by if you're in those states, as there are few reciprocal gun laws.

Personally, I would rather be tried by twelve than carried by six, so it's nice to have that option if your life is truly ever threatened. You need to weigh that with the potential consequences (i.e. convicted felon) of getting caught carrying a firearm in a manner that violates a state or local law. If you're going to carry, do it legally!

I wouldn't say it's "big trouble" to exercise your Second Amendment rights. Most police officers are supportive of your right to carry, provided that you cooperate if stopped, and that you exercise your right in a reasonable manner.
 
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IMO this is a situation that is a very small %age of chasing, kind of a "that's life" kinda deal. I personally don't try to prepare for the dangerous "what ifs" of life, simply because you can't control anything outside of yourself. If I lived in south Oklahoma City and didn't own a car, I'd carry a gun everywhere. But for that one or two times in my life that I might be faced with an angry property owner with a shotgun, I'll take those chances.

Like was mentioned before, just doing what you're asked would seem the easiest way to end the situation, at least in the case of a property owner. As for the 1 in 1,000,000 chance some random criminal just happens up on me in the open Plains wanting to rob me, I'll take my chances. I don't do photography, so I'm never sitting still after dark in open areas.

I don't think there's a definite answer to this question, IMO it's personal preference. I myself just don't care for firearms. I wasn't raised around them and have never owned any, just not my thing.
 
I have thought about it though transporting a firearm via flying would add more difficulty. In Virginia, one is required to have a concealed permit.

One thing to consider in addition to crazy nutcases that like to shoot at people (remember those two young girls in Oklahoma that were shot), is that many chasers carry very expensive equipment. A couple of HD camcorders, laptop, radios etc. would be a very tempting target for a robber especially a lone chaser photographing lightning at 2 AM.

Bill Hark
 
This is a very foreign concept to me; I've never been in a situation where I felt having a gun in my vehicle would be a "good" thing. Having said that, everyone's personal experience varies and who can judge that. I would suggest however that carrying a firearm without the applicable permits etc. for a given jurisdiction is just plain "stupid".
 
Kem, I'm no expert, but normally keeping a gun near you while sleeping should not be illegal....but that's ONLY if you keep that gun out in the open. You cannot have it concealed in any way...unless you have a concealed weapons permit. You can get this by taking a course and getting certified. If interested, contact a local gun retailer in your area, usually the larger, privately owned businesses (not big box stores), as usually they'll stage these classes fairly regularly.
Now, here's where it gets kinky. Each state has their own, individual laws about gun carry, concealment, etc. etc. Even though our Constitution provides that citizens are allowed to bear arms...that doesn't bless a person to do whatever he wants / whenever he wants with respect to firearms. A wise gunowner who plans on travelling from state to state (I chase that way...perhaps you just stay in your own state) will need to check into each state's individual gun laws prior to travelling with your gun.
Lastly...I'm a big 2nd. amendment guy. My wife has a 2000 Camaro SS convertible....and I've always been worried that at some traffic stop, some meth head will take a blade and slice that canvas top and get at her. So...she carries a pistol in her car. We DO keep it hidden..under the passenger floorboard carpet...so she can whip it out if needed. Yes...we are breaking the law. That does concern me. But I've decided that I'd rather have us get ticketed and possibly lose her gun if she gets busted. But I'll take that chance to keep her alive. We live in a rough town.
You'll need to decide whether it's worth it to carry or not. The way chasers are taking some heat on the road lately..it wouldn't be out of the question for a cop to ask to search a chaser's vehicle.
Hope this helps. You are wise, in that you asked this question prior to just jumping off and carrying a firearm around with you.
 
Texas is pretty reasonable in terms of carrying while traveling. For the other plains states, I know Kansas does not have CCW, I am not sure about Oklahoma. I would hazard a guess that Nebraska, north and south Dekota do have CCW's. Most states will offer some reciprocity for CCW's in other states. In think Kansas is the only real standout.
 
Brandon Goforth said:
In most states you can carry a handgun in your vehicle as long as you keep it out in plain sight and keep the ammo separate from the gun. Like keeping it out in your passenger seat with the ammo in the back. You have to do this unless you get a concealed carry permit, and then you can keep it loaded and hidden if you want, but you have to be sure that the state you're travelling to recognizes that permit, otherwise it's useless when you're out of state. Anyways, yes and no...lol! Just don't conceal the thing without a permit.
Click to expand...

Oh, if I didn't have a CCW permit, I certainly wouldn't lay it on the seat. Actually, I wouldn't do that regardless of whether I have a permit or not. As has been stated already, someone will call you in and you could possibly face assault w/ deadly weapon charge if that someone chose to bend the story. Don't put yourself in that position. It should probably be kept in its case, unloaded, and locked in your trunk. Keeping it locked in your console--even if it's unloaded--could constitute carrying concealed. Please don't do that without a permit. You could go up before an "anti-second amendment" DA and judge and find yourself charged with a felony. Ugh.

Geo
 
I carry a gun in my vehicle all the time, including chasing.
I had an attempted car jacking in Tulsa back when I was 17. It scared the living crap out of me and as soon as I was old enough to carry, I started.
One thing that has not been brought up is the injured animal scenerio. A few years ago while chasing, we hit a deer. The deer had broken legs and other injuries that would eventually kill it. We were out in the middle of nowhere and the animal was suffering greatly therefore I put it out of its misory with a .38 snub nose revolver. I would have felt terrible just leaving it there in pain, only to end up dead anyway.
I have gone to a Glock 27 (.40 compact) for my vehicle now and really like it - in case anyone is shopping guns.
 
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