Constitutional Carry Braced Pistol In Cars : What’s Allowed?

[u/GTAMuppet]

I have my CCL in Ohio but I realize we have Constitutional Carry for a couple of years now. I’m mostly wondering if something that’s chambered in a rifle caliber can be carried in a vehicle. I understand a braced gun is considered a pistol so technically it can be carried loaded in vehicle’s cabin. What about AK pistols that are 7.62x39? (ZPAP92 for example) I have asked about this at ranges and gun stores and get different answers. And I’m not simply looking for weigh-ins saying I can or can’t. That really wouldn’t make a good defense in court. These laws are so muddied I am wondering if there are official websites with the information. I have read the firearms section of the ORC and a lot of this stuff is not addressed and left for us to just “assume”. That scares the hell out of me because if I’m a law abiding citizen who happens to misinterpret a very vague gun law my entire life can be turned upside down for from a low level traffic violation.

[u/vio212]

This is one of those things that is going to come down to what circumstances led up to the officer encountering you, what neighborhood you are in, who you are, how well the last conversation that the officer and his spouse/boss/family member, etc. had and on and on.

A roll of the dice basically. You will win... eventually... if you are actually not doing anything wrong. No weed, no booze, no nothing (seems obvious but going overkill here).

Cops absolutely HATE the idea of people having weapons capable of firing rifle calibers in their cars at easy access IME. It scares the shit out of them. Even if it's legal they may still try to bind you up just because they don't like it.

My recommendation would be to have a suitable braced pistol or even rifle (not charged) in a case under your back seat or somewhere that isn't necessarily reachable by you as a driver but it has a secure storage location that you can access if you need to. A pistol will get you to the spot in your car but having it out of your reach and stowed in a case, low profile, away from your reach, none of the cops business, and hidden will keep you from getting jammed up from some cop on a power trip.

The status of the chamber of the weapon is what it all may come down to so if you are in doubt, maybe just don't charge the weapon.

Unless you are doing stupid things. Then all bets are off.

My .02$ but that's about what it's worth.

[u/GTAMuppet → u/vio212]

Very well said.

I tend to be pretty up front and respectful anytime I deal with law enforcement anyway. They don’t really give me any trouble because I don’t do anything wrong lol. That’s why I’m trying to dot my I’s and cross my T’s on this. Not because my whole new aesthetic is “take my AK everywhere I go guy” but if there’s a situation that calls for it I want to be on the right side of the law.

[u/vio212 → u/GTAMuppet]

They don’t care either way. They dislike both types just as much. That’s why I think hidden and quiet is always best. Don’t give them anymore information than they need.