Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

On an "even Steven" horse trade yesterday, I picked up a perfect "truck shotgun". It's a Chinese made 12 gauge pump that's in really good condition. The action is a bottom feed/eject which I was surprised to find. I cut the barrel down to 24" and replaced the bead. Light weight, short and easy to get in & out of the truck and easy to handle. This is exactly what I was looking for. If it gets a little rust on it, no big deal. That doesn't mean I going to abuse it or ignore it. I keep all my guns meticulously clean. But I'd much rather tote this around than my nice Benelli Super Nova. 4 rounds of 2 3/4" buckshot in the magazine and an old zipper case for it and I've got a 12 gauge in the truck if I ever need something with some horse power.

Sounds like their clone of the Ithaca 37. Haven't heard much about them good or bad, but the originals are excellent guns.

You need to trim another six inches off that barrel though!

No, I'm happy with it. Never intended for it to be a "riot" gun, just a short barreled shotgun. I got exactly what I planned.

I have a little pistol grip mossberg, 18 1/4 " its a riot.

What are the "shotgun in the truck" (or car) laws in VA?

burns wrote:What are the "shotgun in the truck" (or car) laws in VA?

Legal as long as it isn't loaded, even on public school property. I wouldn't be testing that. I would keep it behind the seat so criminals don't get any dumb ideas.

Jakeiscrazy wrote: I would keep it behind the seat so criminals don't get any dumb ideas.

I was under the impression that a long gun accessible to the occupants, but not visible to common observation, was considered a concealed weapon here. (Remember kids, you get a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapon permit.)

I was under the impression that a long gun accessible to the occupants, but not visible to common observation, was considered a concealed weapon here. (Remember kids, you get a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapon permit.)

Even if unloaded?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:Even if unloaded?

Beats me. Someone around here has to know.

Anybody?

Anybody?

Bueller?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

I was under the impression that a long gun accessible to the occupants, but not visible to common observation, was considered a concealed weapon here. (Remember kids, you get a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapon permit.)

Even if unloaded?

Remember gun safety rule #1 ? All guns are always loaded.

Yes, even if unloaded. If it is concealed in the passenger compartment, its illegally carried - 18.2-308

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; ............., he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.



There is this little gem though - 15.2-915

§ 15.2-915.2. Regulation of transportation of a loaded rifle or shotgun.

The governing body of any county or city may by ordinance make it unlawful for any person to transport, possess or carry a loaded shotgun or loaded rifle in any vehicle on any public street, road, or highway within such locality. Any violation of such ordinance shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100. Conservation police officers, sheriffs and all other law-enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this section. No ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall be enforceable unless the governing body adopting such ordinance so notifies the Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which such ordinance is to take effect.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to duly authorized law-enforcement officers or military personnel in the performance of their lawful duties, nor to any person who reasonably believes that a loaded rifle or shotgun is necessary for his personal safety in the course of his employment or business.

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; ............., he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

That applies to on the person only right?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

§ 18.2-308. Personal protection; carrying concealed weapons; when lawful to carry.

A. If any person carries about his person, hidden from common observation, (i) any pistol, revolver, or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile of any kind by action of an explosion of any combustible material; ............., he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

That applies to on the person only right?

No, about the person. That means on you or anything within your wingspan or reach. Essentially, within the passenger compartment.

@Jim - I would agree completely but - if you have a truck there is only the passenger compartment. The distrinction for this is making sure its unloaded and out of reach as far as the vehicle you are in will allow...in my truck thats still within reach.

To mitigate that, put the ammo in the glove box and put the unloaded long gun or HG in a case...

zephyp wrote:@Jim - I would agree completely but - if you have a truck there is only the passenger compartment. The distrinction for this is making sure its unloaded and out of reach as far as the vehicle you are in will allow...in my truck thats still within reach.

To mitigate that, put the ammo in the glove box and put the unloaded long gun or HG in a case...

Well, as always, I am not a lawyer....but.....any gun in the passenger compartment that is concealed is illegal without a permit or an exemption under 18.2-308., no matter the vehicle.

The Federal Interstate Transportation of Firearms Act discusses vehicles such as yours:

§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.

The above law covers "interstate" transportation, not "intrastate". The Code of Virginia makes no exceptions for pick ups, SUV's, etc.

Best bet is to wait till 1 July to put it in your truck

Hey dose that mean the Machete that I use to cut brush that I have under the back seat in my truck is a bad thing as well

Best bet is to wait till 1 July to put it in your truck

Hey dose that mean the Machete that I use to cut brush that I have under the back seat in my truck is a bad thing as well

I think that law will only applies to handguns. Am I right?