Locked rifle container in vehicle question

[drgrant]

A vehicle search may not be that common. But a cop glancing into to the back of your SUV during a traffic stop is very common.

An ANY sort of a gun case in the back of your SUV is going to get his attention. A good cop most likely is going to ask you how your day at the range went (he already knows you have an LTC before he steps out of his cruiser so he doesn't need to ask to see that). A bad cop might decide you are about to have a very bad day, just because of your gun case.

If your shit isn't covered up, well there's your problem. Why are you guys handing people free segue excuses? not to mention concealment makes it less likely to get stolen if you had to stop somewhere.


View: https://youtu.be/9Deg7VrpHbM?si=6mTW2_bvvcqIt-ao


You live in Massachusetts. You should assume things are shit while simultaneously not overreacting and not give the waffen SS free 4A PC/RS chip shots into your lives. Doing so sidesteps legal issues altogether.

The cheapest way to not have legal issues in mass is to stay off the radar.

 

[Coda]

The cheapest way to not have legal issues in mass is to stay off the radar.

And one way is to not have the wrong cop question the wrong gun case.

 

[June4th]

Let’s say, a cop saw your bag in the back of the SUV, and it looks like a gun case. He asks you what’s in it and you answer ‘I would rather not say’. The cop doesn’t have probable cause to cut open or defeat whatever flimsy mechanism you have in securing the bag and zipper. If you have on record that you do not consent the search, what, if any, venue to an illegal transport case can the cop build against you?

 

[MAJoe]

Let’s say, a cop saw your bag in the back of the SUV, and it looks like a gun case. He asks you what’s in it and you answer ‘I would rather not say’. The cop doesn’t have probable cause to cut open or defeat whatever flimsy mechanism you have in securing the bag and zipper. If you have on record that you do not consent the search, what, if any, venue to an illegal transport case can the cop build against you?

Do you truly think answering a question regarding a gun case with “I’d rather not say” will end the traffic stop with an “okay have a nice day”?

 

[drgrant]

And one way is to not have the wrong cop question the wrong gun case.

It's still not the path of least risk.

Not showing the cop the gun case on the side of the road, ever, is still cheaper. And offers far greater protection because you don't know whether or not that guy that's just pulled you over even knows the gun laws versus his own a**h*** or a hole in the ground.

Think about it in layers. Sure make sure your bag is locked. I get that. But if that's your only layer of defense against the waffen SS you've already lost and are setting yourself up for problems.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Do you truly think answering a question regarding a gun case with “I’d rather not say” will end the traffic stop with an “okay have a nice day”?

The courts have determined that you have to be specific about invoking your right to remain silent for it to apply and your silence not used against you.

The response needs to be very clear on this "I invoke my right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present during any questioning".

And remember, be the gray man or get lost in a crowd of one.

behaving antagonistic and combative with a cop on the road is one of the most stupid things one can do, as a next thing will be a 'resisting arrest' charge to deal with.
there is no law and no requirement for any reasons anymore. don`t antagonize the enemy needlessly, and just know when is the time to shut up - when he orders you to exit the vehicle.
if a pig decides to charge you with a 'howling at the moon' crime, just in order to put you into a cage to be freed some hrs later - there`s little you can do about it. try to make sure your ribs will be still intact when you will be set free from the cage.

In some of the recent court decisions denying qualified immunity, one thing that has been repeatedly cited is the calm, polite and non-resistive nature of the subject suing the cop.

 

[Bearcat996]

Locked range bag on its own is okay. See my comments earlier RE the case law on this.

Thanks for the answers on the range bag in the SUV! To go an extra step I'll cable lock the bag to a tie down in the rear.

 

[drgrant]

Thanks for the answers on the range bag in the SUV! To go an extra step I'll cable lock the bag to a tie down in the rear.

Better yet if you don't have a cover thing that blocks vision into this area, store junk back there to conceal it. A box of car cleaning products maybe a pile of furniture blankets.... jump starter thing. boring shit you can cover your range bag etc with.

 

[42!]

*groan*

People like to get all histrionic about this but the reality is a vehicle search isn't that common. Think about what has to happen for something to get to that point.

Something minor and they tow, and do an inventory search

 

[chris_1001]

Something minor and they tow, and do an inventory search

Hence my valet mode

 

[MisterHappy]

How about having a law that punishes the criminal instead of the victim?

Criminals are harder to catch. It will make the closure rate too low.


Gotta do the thing, were the guy's tapping his head....

 

[peterk123]

How about having a law that punishes the criminal instead of the victim?

Stop sounding logical! Attitudes and ideas like yours are not welcome in Mass.

 

[drgrant]

Something minor and they tow, and do an inventory search

Lol I've been force towed from a road TWICE before and that never happened. In one case I had the tow driver drop the car in my yard and paid in cash. The 2nd time it went to a tow lot and insurance totaled the car. I'm not the only guy i know that's been force towed w/o inventory. In order to reach that state you'd have to be involved in a serious accident or some similarly crazy shit. And if I'm concerned about paper gun laws at that point my priorities are clearly in the wrong place.

 

[42!]

Lol I've been force towed from a road TWICE before and that never happened. In one case I had the tow driver drop the car in my yard and paid in cash. The 2nd time it went to a tow lot and insurance totaled the car. I'm not the only guy i know that's been force towed w/o inventory. In order to reach that state you'd have to be involved in a serious accident or some similarly crazy shit. And if I'm concerned about paper gun laws at that point my priorities are clearly in the wrong place.

How do you know they didn't go through the car at the tow lot?

 

[OMM 0000]

People really are overthinking this. Cargo area cover and/or a jacket/blanket/towel or two covering your bag or case. Maybe drive a little more legally (no speeding, no rolling stop signs) when you have a full range load out in the trunk. If you were pulled over for 63 in a 55, dont provide permission to search the vehicle. I was taught in high-school not to agree to a search.

I am also a big fan of “am I being detained?” when on foot. If the answer is not “yes.” You turn around a stroll away.

 

[Mtn_Guy]

View: https://youtu.be/N_m4qpeMvtk?si=v6AEtRaBg34m4kMi

 

[drgrant]

How do you know they didn't go through the car at the tow lot?

Because i rode with the car back to the lot.

 

[steven grammont]

Do people drive to the range with stuff locked? Serious question , I always just put everything in the backseat of my truck and head on down the road. Never once even thought about locking any of it. I know it's the "law" , but is everyone really doing that?

 

[milktree]

Do people drive to the range with stuff locked? Serious question , I always just put everything in the backseat of my truck and head on down the road. Never once even thought about locking any of it. I know it's the "law" , but is everyone really doing that?

Absolutely. The cost of using a cheap lock is small, and the price of an improper transportation charge is high.

 

[MAJoe]

Absolutely. The cost of using a cheap lock is small, and the price of an improper transportation charge is high.

This. With the amount of shit drivers and accidents I see, it’s really cheap insurance. There are too many ways for it to become an issue out of my control.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

FYI - Harbor Freight is having a 30% off sale on Apache gun cases in store - through tomorrow Aug 25.

https://www.harborfreight.com/brands/apache.html

 

[Mark from ?]

Do people drive to the range with stuff locked? Serious question , I always just put everything in the backseat of my truck and head on down the road. Never once even thought about locking any of it. I know it's the "law" , but is everyone really doing that?

Central MA.....No...when I lived in MA I didn't. Everything else if it was just back and forth to the range or hunting...... No..I didn't lock anything, odds of police contact very low....even when i did get stopped once for having an expired Reg, cop Im sure saw the gun cases but didn't say shit. Just told me to re up registration when I got home.

The only thing I ever locked was the short case I kept my Ruger PC9 and G17 with a bunch of mags....it was in the truck all the time with me, so I locked it with a small padlock.

Now its in my truck down here in FL in the same case, with a few 33 rd boom sticks and standard mags. I do lock it when I leave the truck still.

PC9 will go back in safe or bedside, and I will put an AK pistol with 30 rounders in the case instead for my truck gun.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Because i rode with the car back to the lot.

That makes all the difference in the world!

If you have it towed, no problem. If it is a "police tow", the police are required to do an inventory to avoid accusations of the owner claiming that they stole the two gold bars in the trunk. It is usual written policy by the PDs.

 

[JDL]

Hide your case if inside your vehicle and can be seen from the street. There have been instances in Springfield where the police have arrested someone for leaving there firearm in there vehicle in a locked case in plain view.

 

[milktree]

That makes all the difference in the world!

If you have it towed, no problem. If it is a "police tow", the police are required to do an inventory to avoid accusations of the owner claiming that they stole the two gold bars in the trunk. It is usual written policy by the PDs.

This is wild, 'cuz if the cops are going to steal something, they're just not going to put it on the inventory.

If the inventory was done in the presence of the owner, or a third party, sure, but the policing themselves to make sure the police don't steal anything (or add anything) is a policy made up by someone who doesn't understand people or crime.

 

[Len-2A Training]

This is wild, 'cuz if the cops are going to steal something, they're just not going to put it on the inventory.

If the inventory was done in the presence of the owner, or a third party, sure, but the policing themselves to make sure the police don't steal anything (or add anything) is a policy made up by someone who doesn't understand people or crime.

It's not only the police. The tow yard people as well.