Riding motorcycle with rifle/long gun on back?

[austin edwards]

Hello all, i was curious as to what the laws are on openly carrying a rifle (ar-15 for me) in public are? I have done some research and tx law seems to state that you do not need a permit or license to openly carry a long gun in places you can carry a handgun.

I would love to be able to save the diesel by riding my street bike/motorcycle to the range + better ranges that are really far away, only problem is my gun case is nearly impossible to attach with me feeling safe enough for a 2 hour ride and not loosing my rifle. Sooo can anyone give some clarity to this? I would like to ride with sling on rifle slung over back openly but will most likely get pulled over or called in to the cops, but can i still do it legally?

Also what are some quality bags i can break down my gun to put in if i choose to not ride mad max style haha. Something thats good for a high dollar scope preferred.

As for my handgun i believe that since i am not a license holder i have to strap the handgun case to the motorcycle therefore its not on my person. Correct??

 

[Younggun]

On a bike a handgun would need to be out of plain sight.

Those rules don't apply to rifles. The bigger issue is making sure that the rifle doesn't shift during the ride causing bad things to happen.

I've considered doing the same to make a trip to the range that much more enjoyable, but never felt like I could adequately secure the rifle.

If you are stopped (good chance you won't be) don't be as ass and you'll probably be sent on your way with little or no trouble.

 

[easy rider]

I carry my rifle in a soft case sticking out of my saddle bag and strapped to the backrest. As Younggun says, out of sight for a handgun if you don't have an LTC. I often carry a handgun in a small range bag in the other saddle bag, plus the one I'm carrying.

 

[austin edwards]

Awesome! i think what ill most likely do is get a good bag to carry my broken down rifle in, but its comforting to know your rights whenever guns are involved.

 

[grasshopperglock]

I don't have saddlebags. Not too many areas on a bobber have enough room to carry anything.

I use an Army surplus patrol back pack. I take the upper off the lower. The pack isn't that big so the barrel sticks out the top. The problem comes from having the weight on your spine and not the bike. 15# of bouncing weight on your back will wear you out.

 

[Younggun]

There are a few places that make some nice scabbards for motorcycles. And some more permanent fixtures similar to why motorcycle cops are using.

May or may not be an option, depending on what kind of stuff you want attached to your bike. A leather scabbard with a nice lever gun could be pretty appealing, but stopping at the store on the way could be an issue.

 

[austin edwards]

younggun: was just thinking that haha i see a few places i could possibly side mount some pegs or a rack of some sort. Plus good point on the gas station, doubt ill be able to just walk in without causing a scene, hopefully the card reader at the pump works lmao

 

[Wedge1]

I want to answer this one as an officer. If dispatch received a report of a « man with a gun » riding a motorcycle then obviously we must investigate to see the issue. Once I’ve determined it is simply a method of transportation then off you go. Contrary to popular belief officers are not allowed to ignore any call from dispatch and must answer the situation. We cannot simply answer back on the radio and state « legal in Texas to have a long gun I’m 10-8 ». Doesn’t work that way. If it did I can tell you I’d have ignored thousands of worthless and ridiculous calls. Lol.

The thing to do is to break tour AR15 down to its’ upper and lower separated and out then both in a backup. This way no harm will likely come if anything. And consider that if you’re openly carrying it strapped on your back you also have two others thins to thing about: 1. Wrecks. On a motorcycle it is WHEN not if you’ll
Wreck. And 2. You’re an easy target for people to harass. You’ve basically invited the anti gun whackos to call you in.

 

[Charlie]

I want to answer this one as an officer. If dispatch received a report of a « man with a gun » riding a motorcycle then obviously we must investigate to see the issue. Once I’ve determined it is simply a method of transportation then off you go. Contrary to popular belief officers are not allowed to ignore any call from dispatch and must answer the situation. We cannot simply answer back on the radio and state « legal in Texas to have a long gun I’m 10-8 ». Doesn’t work that way. If it did I can tell you I’d have ignored thousands of worthless and ridiculous calls. Lol.

The thing to do is to break tour AR15 down to its’ upper and lower separated and out then both in a backup. This way no harm will likely come if anything. And consider that if you’re openly carrying it strapped on your back you also have two others thins to thing about: 1. Wrecks. On a motorcycle it is WHEN not if you’ll
Wreck. And 2. You’re an easy target for people to harass. You’ve basically invited the anti gun whackos to call you in.

Sounds reasonable to me! But ................ I don't own or ride a motorcycle.

 

[austin edwards]

Wedge1: thank you! Thats why i just went and bought a gun backpack from academy. super secure has two chest straps, my broken down ar-15 fits nice and neat with plenty of ammo room plus no barrel sticking out also its padded for a comfortable ride. Got to thinking about it and as cool as it sounds to ride openly slung across your back, is just asking for trouble. could be at a red light minding my own and not see someone coming up behind me and cut my sling and off goes my gun. At least with this bag your gonna have one heck of a time getting that off me.

 

[easy rider]

Depending on the rifle, I don't think you need to break it down so much as not have it openly displayed. Although I wouldn't want to strap it to myself, many soft cases have a shoulder strap. I think if you really want to transport a rifle on a motorcycle on a regular basis you should figure out a way to strap it to the motorcycle itself. I wouldn't want to openly display it, that would probably lead to unwanted attention.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I'd sure hate to wreck with all that metal strapped to me, I've had several wrecks all by myself, and managed to break bones each time.

 

[Young Gun]

I've ridden with my PSA AR15 in a backpack before. I break down the rifle in two pieces, but the barrel sticks out of my backpack.

I simply zip up the bag and tie the zips together so they can't shift apart. I'll then put a golf club cover or just a sock over the barrel end of my rifle.

To the unobservant motorist, they see a motorcyclist with a weird sock poking out the top of his backpack. To an observant gun guy, they'd probably make I had a rifle poking out of my bag.

I do also open carry my machete while riding. I've never been stopped and gotten several thumbs up from local PD. Assuming you are following traffic law and being respectful, I don't see a problem.

 

[craigntx]

Somebody might dime you and cops do a felony stop. Happened to me in galveston, and it was just the bbl of a shotgun showing

 

[Younggun]

Enlighten me.


How did they do a "felony stop"?

 

[easy rider]

That's what I was thinking^

 

[grasshopperglock]

A 16" barrel sticks out about 6" on my pack. It's a painted barrel and matches the pack. If you don't have a feel for the local police. Stick a golf club sock on it. Section of PVC pipe. Or a folded coat sleeve over the barrel. Stay off the radar.

Around here. A lot of the sport bike riders open carry handguns. Cruising hwy 190 like there's no speed limit.

 

[austin edwards]

Can honestly say golf club sock is a good idea never thought of that one. I was thinking towel until i got me a bag big enough today. Now the test will be how durable and uncomfortable it will be.

 

[easy rider]

IF you're a fool on a motorcycle you deserve the attention you garner.

 

[grasshopperglock]

Can honestly say golf club sock is a good idea never thought of that one. I was thinking towel until i got me a bag big enough today. Now the test will be how durable and uncomfortable it will be.

Wrap the upper and lower in a bath towel. It'll keep it from banging against each other. It'll also provide some padding to the situation.