[Fuelburns2]

When I registered my handgun with the local police they told me that to drive home with my gun I had to lock it in the trunk. My Dakota doesn't have a trunk so I threw it in the backseat and drove real safe like to avoid getting pulled over. What is the best way to transport my handguns without violating the law? If I put them in the bed then they can be easily stolen and I've had several ocassions where I caught people rifling through the stuff in the bed of my truck, so that's definately out. Anyone?

 

[TheRedScare]

Put it in a locked case.

 

[Weeg]

The laws sometimes are clear as mud, eh?

Here in NC, you can carry a 1911 in condition 1 on the passenger seat of your car...No problem...

If it's under the seat, and you don't have a CCWP, uh-oh...

I miss Texas though...Lived there for 9 years (El PAso then San Antonio)...

 

[Paul F.]

In Michigan, carrying a sidearm in a vehicle without a trunk means either a locked glove compartment or in the backseat... out of the reach of driver or passengers. In a pickup, that generally means behind the back seat (if you have passengers) or under the passenger seat directly behind the driver.

IMO, it's worth getting a CCW just to avoid all this crap. Then you can carry it anywhere. :wink:

 

[Fuelburns2]

I don't have a CPL yet so I'm trying to stay within the law until then (and after). If I put it under the passenger seat then that would constitute concealed carry. I drove around most of the day today with my three guns in a case wedged behind my driver seat so I could shoot after work. I had a great time but driving to the range was a bit uncomfortable for me because I don't have a case that locks. Is that the difference between legal transport and illegal transport? The guns weren't accessable to me but weren't locked either. I would also think that locking them in the glove box would be concealed carry, but I may be wrong.

 

[Paul F.]

No, Michigan recommends in the glove box, behind seat, etc. Go to your local town/city hall and pick up MI's Gun Safety brochure for pistols. By law, you were supposed to receive one when you got your permit to purchase. :wink:

 

[Fuelburns2]

No, Michigan recommends in the glove box, behind seat, etc. Go to your local town/city hall and pick up MI's Gun Safety brochure for pistols. By law, you were supposed to receive one when you got your permit to purchase. :wink:

It's good to see that those enforcing the law know it so well. :wink: I think I'll get one as soon as I can.

 

[ducks eliminated]

If you can, especially if you have a bed-cover, throw your shooting bag (ammo) in the bed. Keeping the gun and ammo separated is an issue. Or just buy what you need at the range and shoot it all up there.

 

[b540glenn]

From the Mi State Police website:

"1. If I do not have a CCW permit, may I transport my pistol in a motor vehicle?

A person is now permitted to transport a pistol for a lawful purpose if the owner or occupant of the vehicle is the registered owner of the firearm and the pistol is unloaded and in a closed case in the trunk of the vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, the pistol may be in the passenger compartment of the vehicle unloaded and inaccessible to the occupants of the vehicle.
..."

There are many other references (not singling out hunters) to transporting firearms in vehicles without trunks that read similar to:
"A hunter possessing a valid Michigan hunting license may transport a handgun to or from the hunting area in region 3 in
a motor vehicle, provided that the hunter is en route to or from the hunting area and the handgun is unloaded, is in a wrapper or container, and is locked in the trunk of the motor vehicle. If the vehicle has no trunk, the hunter may carry the unloaded handgun in a wrapper or container in an area of the motor vehicle not readily accessible to the occupants of the vehicle...." (bold added for emphasis)

The short version of MI's Firearm laws is located here.

Basically, keep the gun in a case (preferably locked) out of reach.

 

[Fuelburns2]

The only thing I wasn't doing when I originally asked this question was keeping the ammo and weapon separate. Since then I've been putting ammo in the bed but in a few weeks I'll have a CPL and it won't be an issue.

 

[harper]

I've got a tool box on my Ranger, and whenever I take my rifle out I put it in there and lock it. A pretty decent box can be had for about $300, and it's handy for a lot more than just toting guns around. You can also *gasp* put TOOLS in it . Also, most cops don't think to check in them for some reason ...