A gun in the trunk?

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Mr.V.

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Hi all--

I've been pondering this for a bit. It seems to make sense to have a gun in the trunk of my car for when not around

I live in California (more particularly LA) so CCW is out (I've tried). However, I've often wondered if a gun (say a cheap rifle) in the trunk would still be useful to have.

Here are my concerns, however. Mainly theft. I drive a Camry so it isn't exactly the least stolen car in America. Also even though I live in a decent neighborhood, my wife's car was broken into and the survival pack I have in the trunks was stolen. It makes me ill to think that had I enacted my "trunk gun" plan before, I'd have just armed whatever a-hole crowbarred the trunk open (despite keeping it locked so it can't just be popped open).

While I try not to live life thinking "what if a criminal did this or that" it doesn't make me happy to think I could be easily arming someone prowling around the neighborhood who was never caught...

If it's still reasonable to have a "trunk gun" what would you all recommend. I've been thinking just a simple Ruger 10/22. While not ideal for a gun battle, it does have better accuracy than a shotgun and doesn't take up too much room.

Another option was a lever action .44mag or .357mag (or .30-30 but .30-30 ammunition is kinda expensive).

Finally the last option was a Mosin M44 which is both cheap and has reasonably cheap ammunition and makes a loud kaboom (though the thought of decosmoing a rifle after my 7 hour battle with my SKS tends to lead me to the former options)

Anyway just wondering what your 2¢ are
 
A mosin in the trunk but the bolt stashed some where else might be feasable. It only takes a second to put it back in and you would have that time since I assume you would not be keeping it loaded. I have acually been thinking about doing the exact same thing.

Alex
 
Over penetration?

Over penetration would definitely be a problem with the Mosin Nagant in LA. Also, grabbing the bolt, installing it, and loading the rifle would eat up precious seconds.

Another consideration, firing the Mosin might put you in violation of the noise ordinance. :p
 
I don't think it makes a heck of a lot of sense. If you need a gun, and have time to walk around to the back of the car, unlock the trunk and take out and load a rifle, you probably have more than enough time to drive out of the danger area.
 
enfield said:
you probably have more than enough time to drive out of the danger area.
Click to expand...

You've obviously never been in LA traffic =)

but yeah...your point is more than valid. In order to stay within the law, you've got to keep both in separate locked containers (if I read things right). So by the time I'd managed all the locks, I suppose I could have run away...

Well thanks...that saved me at least $150...
 
Pump Shotty

Personally, I do not think that you should leave a long-gun in your trunk all of the time. Having said that, a 12ga. pump seems quite practical; a used one can be found for a very good price.
 
In order to stay within the law, you've got to keep both in separate locked containers (if I read things right).
Click to expand...
Unloaded, yes.

Locked up, no.

It might be wise and appropriate and good for some other reasons, but California law does not require long guns (those which are not California 'assault weapons'), nor ammunition, to be locked up while transporting.

I do agree with enfield that having time to stop, go to the trunk, get and load the rifle might cause external observers to wonder if other courses of action might be open. Running away is usually the prudent thing, if that option is available. Sometimes it isn't.

If, at some particular time, you think it's a good idea to start firing a rifle in downtown LA, I believe overpenetration is one of your lesser concerns.

A milsurp is a good candidate, especially SKS/Mosin IMHO. Cheap, meant to be abused and ignored.

Do note that there are places, most notably schools, where ALL guns are forbidden without permission from the local president/chancellor/ principal. CCW is exempt, but that does not include long guns.
 
I would suggest an inexpensive handgun or shotgun in the trunk with mags/speed loaders/shells in glove box or similar compartment.

OK. I had a conversation a few months ago with a sheriff deputy, who was off duty at a party, and posed a question about the legality of me having my 12 ga. in my trunk. He said if he had to search my trunk he would confiscate it. His basis was that because "it was just in there". No legal justification he said whatsoever. Also mind you he said to the effect of "I don't care about your rights". Now this obviously disturbed me to a high degree. But, this is his first year on the job and he is relegated to working the jails/prisons. I see him a lot- we have mutual friends- we are on amicable terms. Nonetheless, it does unnerve me to hear someone with a badge say that.

Anyhow, copied from the CA DOJ webpage:

"Nonconcealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, nonconcealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported. A rifle or shotgun that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12276 or 12276.1 must be transported in accordance with Penal Code section 12026.1."

Attention given to "transported"
 
"Nonconcealable firearms (rifles and shotguns) are not generally covered within the provisions of California Penal Code section 12025 and therefore are not required to be transported in a locked container. However, as with any firearm, nonconcealable firearms must be unloaded while they are being transported. A rifle or shotgun that is defined as an assault weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12276 or 12276.1 must be transported in accordance with Penal Code section 12026.1."
Click to expand...

Looks like a pistol caliber carbine with box magazine on the floor behind you with a loaded mag on your person is the answer. That being said I am very nervous about the thought of a weapon sitting anywhere in a car when I am not there to watch over it.

mike
 
Cheers,

I was thinking more of "car-jacked and stuffed in the trunk" scenario.

SKS mounted on the bottom of the rear speaker deck,in the trunk, locked pistol case (Sportsman Guide, item #LX6M-105432) loaded with free rounds mounted close to it, with the key close by.

Short, close quarter weapon, good penatration - keep you alive type. But LOUD in confined areas. You ain't gonna hear for a couple of days.:evil:

But that's just me!

cr
 
If they steal a firearm, the police will pursue the case a with a bit more fervor than them just recovering your personal effects.

Any rifle with a removable magazine should be fine. Stash rifle under the speaker deck with velcro stays or similar and keep a loaded magazine out of obvious site, but in the trunk somewhere that you could get to it if you did get stuffed into said trunk. Some of those cars have little covers that allow access to your turn signals. This would be an ideal stashing spot for a mag if it fit and didn't rattle or somehow get silhouetted in your brake lights.

i.e. - it it's under your spare tire and your on top of the tire, it might be a tad hard to retrieve.
 
If I were stuck in California and had a Sheriff deputy tell me he would steal my lawfully carried property I would purchase a cheap Mosin (Pull the bolt as stated above ) and leave it in the trunk. I would then see if I could arrange for him to see it. If he confiscated my property I would sue him, the sheriff, the county and the state to make a point. It is either legal or it isn't. I would do everything in my power to make sure he cared about my rights the next time around.
 
I quite often put a shotgun or an AR, SKS or lever gun on the floor in the back seat. I throw a towel or blanket over it. Really, you can't even see it. I feel its much quicker to pull out than from the trunk.
Click to expand...

AFAIK, this isn't legal everywhere.
 
theft history?

I wouldn't put a longarm in the trunk, but only because you've already had a vehicle burglary. Unless that wasn't at the location where you both park, it suggests too high a risk for loss.

I have a Mosin, and I work in the area where the LA riots were. I've considered it's usefullness in this area and dismissed it. You'll be shooting through rioters and into houses, businesses, schools etc.
 
44 levergun is a great idea, IMO.

I would stoke it with 180gr hollowpoints if urban LA were my concern. 357 would be good too, except the cartridges are narrower and fumble more (at least for me) when loading into a lever gun's loading port. 44's are bigger and don't have that problem. 45colts would also be good.
 
Another thing to consider...

I spent the afternoon today pulling out my trunk carpet, the spare, jack, the tools, the cans of fix a flat, etc., etc., that I had in the sizable spare well, and then DRAINING the dang thing... Somewhere this fall and winter I managed to develop a leak, and it channeled the runoff from the car's roof into the spare well. The stuff in the upper part didn't get wet, but I'm guessing I may have had 10-15 gallons down there...
 
:eek:
I thought guns were illegal as they were bad . Don't they have laws concerning this kind of stuff?
Good thing I do not have a trunk, then folks won't think I have guns.
I drive a truck , I used to have cars many many years ago - but they leak and get stuff all rusty and all.

Being just a regular person, I'll just not go where bad stuff happens and leave if it does...
What guns? What trunk?

:)
 
Dbl barrel 12 gauge

Sucks that you live in a place where it's so hard to protect yourself. I suspect you gotta go retro.

I suggest you get with a Cowboy Action Group - watch those guys working their polished bore double barrel 12 gauges.

First, they'e more politically correct so you're less likely to have cop problems if discovered.

Second, they're cheap. And, if it's stolen, it'd hardly a "state of the art" or hard to get weapon.

Third, they're easy and fast to load/reload. If you HAVE to keep the gun and the ammo separate, you'd be up and running in a heartbeat. Ever try to load a lever action quickly? Not easy under stress.

Fourth, a shotgun is the absolute best close range urban protection you can have... touch off the first shot and everyone in front of you will start backpedaling RIGHT NOW.

Fifth, over penetration will not be a problem. I'd like to recommend an SKS as an alternative (it's my "truck gun", but I live in Colorado), but I know from experience (no, I won't talk about it) that they over-penetrate in an urban environment.

Sixth, you can keep a bandolier of 12 gauge rounds behind your seat and a ratty old 12 gauge in the trunk. If 20 or so rounds of 12 gauge won't solve your problem, you are well and truly screwed. But a bandolier is easy to grab and go - "badges? we don't need no stinkin' badges!"

My friend, I wish you were in a place that allowed you to protect yourself better. But, here's the thing, in the unlikely circumstance you have to go to the trunk for a firearm (and your enemies allow you the time to do so), it's very, very likely that a 12 double will work for you.

Like I said, find a Cowboy Action group and watch them. Here in Colorado, it's all fun and games... cause I can carry a howitzer if I can fit it in my pants. In your neck of the woods and without CCW, maybe it's more like life and death. I for one would never volunteer to go up against a well trained, determined individual armed with a 12 double who knows and has practiced with his weapon.

Just my two bits.
 
CattleDog:
I would suggest an inexpensive handgun
Click to expand...
Very iffy in CA, there's all these limiting suggestions from the legislature in PC 12026 about what they think is an OK reason to be transporting a handgun. Skip all of that concern with a long gun.
 
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If I were stuck in CA and had a Deputy tell me he would take my lawfully owned property for no justified reason, I would move.

:fire:

But, then again we just went through this fight with the NOPD. They do what they want to do, without regard to what the law really is. Your choices are limited when you are in that situation.

I think the key point the Deputy made was 'if he had to search your car'. So this certainly puts a good deal of favor on you, if you can keep yourself from being pulled over.

Again, cheap and hidden under the edge of the speaker box seems to be the best option regardless.

IMHO
 
I can't imagine a whole lot of scenarios where a gun in the trunk will solve a problem that's in front of you, right NOW. If you have the means to leave . . .

There are certainly instances folks can point to where it did, but they're pretty limited. Many of those were scenarios that someone had a very compelling reason to return to the confrontation once they managed to extricate themselves from it.
 
I hate Kalifornias laws!

That is why I moved, well that and the cost of living in Monterey! Anyway, in regaurds to the LEO at the party who said "I don't care about your rights" he would be sued so fast his head would spin if he confiscated a "legal" firearm from my vehicle that was being carried in a legal way! LEOs like that give all LEOs a bad rep! On the suggestion, carry what is easiest for you to load and shoot and what is legal and don;t go by what you read anywhere on the web fr legalality! Go to the police station nearest you and ask a seasoned officer to quote you the statute.


I "think" you can carry a legal shotgun or rifle in the trunk and the ammo in the glovebox but I am not sure. So if that is true and lawful, I'd carry a carbine length .357mag lever gun, preferably a Marlin because they are way easier and faster to load. Plus. .357 is way cheaper to shoot than just about anything else other than something possibly illegal, like 7.62X39, or 5.56....because you can shoot .38spl for practice!
 
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