April 23, 2011, 05:43 PM | #1 |
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New Car / Small Trunk
I've been thinking about buying a new car, something on the sportier side.
The one question I have is this --> [Note: I live in New Jersey] What if the trunk of the car is too small to carry a rifle case? Can I then put the rifle in the back seat assuming it was locked in a hardside container (like a Pelican case)? [Since NJ doesn't allow collapsible stocks, my AR-style rifle is pretty long.] Assume for the moment that the car is a Mustang or similar -- i.e. it would be very easy for me to reach the back seat from the driver's seat so there'd be no way to put the rifle case 'out of reach'. I know the answers I get will not be useful in a court of law... I'm just wondering if anyone has had to deal with this before and what the issues are. Thanks. |
April 23, 2011, 06:16 PM | #2 |
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Do you have a specific car in mind that actually has a trunk small enough that a rifle won't fit? A mustang certainly has a trunk large enough that any normal rifle in a normal case will fit EASILY. I mean E-A-S-I-L-Y. I can't think of a car that won't fit a rifle case in the trunk. They might exist, but I can't think of one. My uncle had a Ford Festiva that had the smallest trunk I've probably ever seen and it fit a rifle case.
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April 23, 2011, 06:35 PM | #3 |
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Most trunks are bigger than they look. One rifle case shouldn't be much of a problem. Definitely fit check before you sign on the dotted line.
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April 23, 2011, 06:47 PM | #4 | |
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My 1720 Pelican case has the following exterior dimensions: 44.37" x 16.00" x 6.12"
The trunk for the 2011 Mustang is as follows: http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...ustang-gt.html Quote:
Last edited by jg0001; April 23, 2011 at 07:21 PM. |
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April 23, 2011, 10:47 PM | #5 |
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Porsche 944 -- no trunk. It is a hatchback design with fold down kiddie seats. The rear is reachable with long arms. The rifle is in a case....I don't think LEO would give me a hard time if I am doing nothing else illegal (related to fire arms).
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April 23, 2011, 11:21 PM | #6 |
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Exactly how does the state law read?
My guess would be that the intent is simply to ensure that the driver can't grab a gun and shoot a traffic cop. If the case is locked, that should do it. (At least, that's the way the FOPA law reads.) |
April 24, 2011, 11:49 AM | #7 | |
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Pulling out my NJ Gun Law Guide... AND referencing the NJ State Police website...
http://www.nj.gov/njsp/about/fire_trans.html Quote:
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April 24, 2011, 04:30 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Using this technique, I can fit a 48-1/2"-long Mosin-Nagant M91/30 into the trunk of 90-97 Mazda Miata- a vehicle with an almost comically small trunk partially occupied by the spare tire and battery. The M-N just barely fits, but a Lee-Enfield No4 fits with ease. I'll wager you that almost any modern sporting rifle will fit in the Mustang's trunk with room to spare.
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