A “truck gun” (aka trunk gun, truck rifle, riding shotgun, etc.) is simply a long gun — usually a compact rifle, carbine, AR pistol, or shotgun — that someone stores in their vehicle for situations where a handgun might not be the best defensive tool.
Those of a certain age will remember the days when it was commonplace for people to hang a rifle or shotgun in a rack in the back of their pickup truck in plain sight, even in high school parking lots. Today, unfortunately, the mere sight of a long gun on campus necessarily raises alarm bells.
Truck Gun Rationale – Emerging Threats
Today, the truck gun concept takes on new importance. In light of ongoing and escalated terrorist threats to the homeland, we advised in our article A Handgun is No Longer Enough: The Evolving Standard for Armed Self-Defense (The Sovereign Citizen and the Imminent Threat) that prepared citizens should view a handgun as just the first tier in defense.
In that article, we advocated an AR pistol as the ideal truck gun, but like any generalization it may not be the best option for every circumstance or personal preference. In this article, we discuss common types of truck guns and some specific options.
With so many great firearms on the market today, we can’t possibly cover them all here. If we missed one of your favorites, let us know in the comments!
What is a “Truck Gun”?
A “truck gun” is an informal term. Practically speaking it’s any long gun kept in a vehicle for use in circumstances such as:
- Vehicle-based emergencies or roadside threats
- Rural travel where law enforcement responses will be slow
- Protecting property or livestock while traveling to remote job sites or hunting land
- Backup for a concealed-carry handgun when a more capable firearm or longer range is needed
- Hunting/field use (in regions where that applies)
Types of Truck Guns
AR Pistol
Our favorite type of truck gun is the AR pistol platform, which combines the benefits of a rifle caliber long gun with the compactness and concealability of a short-barreled rifle (SBR) without the downsides that come with owning an NFA item. By attaching a different upper, a single AR-15 pistol lower can be used in .223/5.56 or 300 Blackout without changing bolts. These calibers are effective out to 300 yards and beyond and deliver significantly improved accuracy over handguns creating much larger wound cavities and damage.
AR pistols, like the AR-15 pattern rifle, can be had in different operating systems, including (a) direct impingement, (b) piston-driven, and (c) hybrid systems. Each has their advantages.
The time‑tested direct‑impingement (DI) system is reliable and simple while a short stroke piston-driven action can add reliability under adverse conditions. Common DI AR pistols include the Bravo Company Mfg RECCE-11 MCMR 5.56 Pistol, Smith & Wesson M&P-15, CMMG Banshee.
A key advantage of a piston system is that it does not use a buffer tube fixed to the lower receiver allowing it to be fired with the brace folded — increasing portability and concealability. Some examples of gas piston-driven firearms include the Sig MCX, a short-stroke, piston-driven gun that can be configured in both pistol and rifle options, and the P415 Edge from Patriot Ordnance Factory (POF).
Hybrid systems combine the simplicity of direct impingement but use internal springs in the upper receiver instead of a buffer tube, allowing for firing with the brace folded like a piston gun. Hybrid system guns are typically less expensive than comparable piston-driven guns because they have a simpler operating system with fewer parts. The CMMG Dissent is a good example of a hybrid system.
Pump Action Shotgun
In the age of semiauto firearms, the pump action shotgun endures because of its rugged reliability and versatility. A pump action smoothbore can shoot everything from birdshot, to buckshot, slugs, and even less lethal rounds, making it a “one gun” solution for many applications.
A pump action shotgun, however, is not without its drawbacks – it is slower to make follow-up shots, it has relatively limited range compared to rifle cartridges, you can short stroke it and create malfunctions, and if one arm is injured it can be difficult or impossible to operate.
That said, the pump action shotgun is still carried by many law enforcement agencies. The Mossberg Maverick 88 is a common truck gun because it is effective in short range situations, and it is cheap. If it gets stolen, you’re not out thousands of dollars. Additionally, shotguns are extremely versatile in that it can fire a variety of ammunition, including buckshot for short range, slugs for long range, and birdshot for hunting.
Other popular pump shotguns include the Remington 870, Winchester SXP, Mossberg 590, and Benelli Nova and Supernova.
Semiauto Shotgun
The semiautomatic shotgun provides all the versatility of a pump action with the added benefit of faster follow-up shots. Most modern shotguns have superior ergonomics than more dated designs and come with rails for mounting optics and weapon lights.
The Beretta A300 Patrol Ultima stands out as good option. Originally designed for law enforcement, the A300 Patrol Ultima has an 18” barrel making it portable, easy to handle, and lightweight. Additionally, it comes equipped with a picatinny rail on the receiver for mounting modern optics, such as a red dot or holographic reflex sight.
Other strong contenders in this category include the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical LE, Benelli M4 Tactical, and Stoeger M3000 Tactical.
Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC)
A Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) is just that – a long gun (carbine) chambered in a traditional pistol caliber. Although PCCs have enjoyed a modern revival, their roots reach back to the 1800s. On the frontier, it made perfect sense to carry a lever‑action rifle chambered for the same cartridge as your pistol: fewer types of ammunition to source, simpler logistics, and greater practicality when towns — and replacement ammo — were days away.
Today, you can find PCCs chambered in 9mm, 45 ACP, and even the formidable 10mm cartridge. With a longer barrel, a PCC will deliver higher velocities and better accuracy at longer distances than a similarly chambered handgun. As a Tier 2 option in your defense setup, a PCC that uses the same ammunition and magazines as your handgun is an extremely versatile combination.
Like AR pistols, PCCs come in a variety of operating systems, including direct blowback, radial delayed, roller delayed, and short-stroke gas piston. Direct blowback offers unmatched simplicity and durability, though it can deliver sharper recoil than many expect from a compact pistol cartridge. Gas-operated firearms trade that sharpness for a softer shot at the expense of greater mechanical complexity and cost. Roller-delayed and radial-delayed systems minimize recoil while remaining highly reliable, but they generally carry a premium over basic blowback designs.
There are many PCC options available at various price points. On the high-end, the GMR-15 (direct blowback) and JP-5 (roller delayed) from JP Enterprises along with the Sig MPX (gas piston). Perhaps the most recognizable PCC is the HK MP5 (roller delayed), which has been in service with military and law enforcement agencies worldwide for more than 50 years, but is expensive compared to competitive alternatives.
More affordable options include the Ruger PC Carbine, Kel-Tec SUB-2000, and CZ Scorpion EVO 3 carbine (all direct blowback). Palmetto State Armory offers budget options, including the PSA Gen 4 (direct blowback). Most have variants that accept commonly available and affordable Glock magazines.
Lever Action Rifle
You can’t talk about truck guns without giving a nod to the lever-action rifle. It brings the power and reach of a rifle cartridge — more velocity and improved accuracy — combined with the comfortable handling and stability of a long gun. Of course, lever action rifles are available in traditional pistol cartridges as well.
What many people forget is that lever actions are widely acceptable under most hunting and firearms rules, making them a reliable choice for extended overland routes that cross multiple states and types of land ownership. Still, it’s wise to verify rules for each area you’ll pass through.
Lever action rifles are readily available from several manufacturers, and newer models offer the ability to mount modern optics, weapon lights, and other force multipliers (such as the Marlin Dark Series and the Henry X Model Series). Henry Repeating Arms, Mossberg, Marlin (now Ruger), Winchester, Browning have been offering lever action rifles for many decades, and in many cases more than 100 years.
Traveling with a Truck Gun – Rules of the Road
The legal landscape — high-level rules you must know
Big picture first – firearm laws about long guns in vehicles vary widely by jurisdiction. Two important federal items set baseline rules for interstate travel, but state and local law determine how you may carry, possess, or store a gun in your vehicle while inside that state. Always check the laws of your origin, destination, and every state you pass through.
Federal: the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) — 18 U.S.C. § 926A
FOPA (18 U.S.C. § 926A) provides a limited protection for law-abiding persons transporting firearms across state lines: the firearm must be unloaded, not readily accessible from the passenger compartment (or in a locked container if there is no separate trunk), and ammunition must also not be readily accessible. This is a narrow safe-harbor for interstate travel only — it does not override state destination laws that forbid possession at the endpoint if you cannot lawfully possess the gun there. Read the statute text and commentary before relying on it.
State laws vary — some examples
- Texas. There are generally no specific statewide prohibitions on transporting rifles/long guns in private vehicles; check local rules and private property policies. Texas guidance indicates long guns are commonly permitted in vehicles, though handguns have their own rules. (Example: Texas state legal FAQs.) Texas State Law Library
- New York. State rules have specific requirements for firearms left in vehicles (e.g., they must often be unloaded and secured; laws tightened in recent years). If you leave a gun unattended in a vehicle in some jurisdictions, special requirements apply (unloaded, locked, separate ammo). Always check the exact local statute and guidance. NY Gun Safety
- Other states: several states either prohibit loaded long guns in vehicles, require them to be unloaded and locked, or impose additional restrictions – and municipal rules or campus/employer policies can add further bans. The practical result: what’s legal in one state may be illegal a few miles away.
Private property and employers
Even where state law permits carrying or storing a firearm in your vehicle, private property owners, employers, and many businesses can ban firearms on their premises (and may require you to leave or face prosecution for trespass if you refuse). Fines or civil liability may apply. Check signage, corporate policy, and ask when in doubt.
Legal traps people commonly fall into
- Assuming the same rules apply everywhere. They don’t — state and local rules vary dramatically.
- Transporting a loaded long gun in a state that forbids it. Some states specifically ban loaded long guns in passenger vehicles.
- Leaving a gun unattended in a vehicle improperly stored. That can lead to criminal charges in some states and increases theft risk.
- Ignoring employer/property rules. Private property rules can create immediate consequences (e.g., being asked to leave, job discipline).
Practical safety and legal recommendations
If, after weighing pros and cons, you decide to keep a truck gun, follow these best practices to reduce legal and safety risk:
- Know the law where you are and where you’re going. Before interstate travel, check your origin, destination, and every state en route (don’t rely on hearsay). 18 U.S.C. § 926A can help for interstate travel, but it is narrow — it requires the firearm to be unloaded and not readily accessible.
- Keep it out of plain view. Stow the firearm out of sight and in a locked container when possible — reduces theft and confrontations.
- Use a vehicle safe or lockbox. A bolted or well-secured lockbox prevents easy theft and is sensible if you must leave a firearm unattended.
- Train and plan for de-escalation. Carrying a more capable weapon increases responsibility. Regular training on safe handling, vehicle retrieval, and legal use-of-force issues is critical.
- Document necessity where it matters. If you travel for work in remote areas or for lawful hunting, carry documentation (hunting licenses, employer letters) that clarify legitimate reasons for having the firearm in your vehicle — that can matter if you’re stopped and questioned.
- Check property/parking rules. Employer lots, schools, federal property, and many private businesses ban firearms — don’t assume your truck gun is permitted on-site.
Conclusion
A “truck gun” is an important part of your overall self-defense strategy. A handgun is typically your first option (Tier 1) while a truck gun provides for greater capability when faced with more dangerous situations. Deciding to transport, carry, and potentially use a truck gun, however, is not a casual decision — it requires legal homework, safe storage, and training to do it legally and safely.
Although federal law (18 U.S.C. § 926A) gives a limited interstate transport protection when the firearm is unloaded and not readily accessible, but state and local laws and private-property rules still control what’s allowed while you’re in a given jurisdiction.
If you plan to keep a long gun in your vehicle: learn the law, store it safely, and train on safe handling and legal use-of-force.
Why Legal Defense Protection is an Important Safeguard
Firearm laws can change dramatically from one jurisdiction to the next, and even a simple road trip with a truck gun can bring unexpected legal risks. That’s why legal defense protection is more than just a good idea—it’s a vital safeguard of your right to self-defense. With a trusted legal plan in place, you’re not just protecting your rights; you’re protecting your freedom and your future. Don’t leave it to chance—be prepared before you ever need it.
Immediate up-front self-defense legal protection from Second Call Defense is your protection against reckless prosecution and spurious civil suits. The use of any form of self-defense can get you arrested, prosecuted, and convicted without proper representation. We cover all incidents of self-defense, whether you use your hands, feet, a knife, rock or a firearm.
With Second Call Defense you have an UNLIMITED legal defense budget for both criminal and civil suits.
Ask yourself these questions, and if the answer is “no” to any of them, chances are you need Self-Defense Liability Legal Protection:
- Do you have an attorney on retainer skilled in defending against criminal charges?
- Do you have an unlimited budget to pay out-of-pocket for your legal defense bills?
- Do you have at least $100,000 in cash to pay a bail bondsman that you can afford not to get back?
- Do you have ready access to professional psychological counseling for post-incident treatment?
- Do you have legal protection against civil damages that could force you to sell your home, cars, guns, and other assets to pay a judgment?
Join Second Call Defense Today
Whether you defend yourself with a truck gun, pistol, knife, rock, vehicle, hands or feet, that is only half the equation. The other half is what happens after the trigger gets pulled. Police, prosecutors, and courts don’t care how good your choice of weapon was, they care about putting you through the system.
That’s why smart armed citizens prepare for BOTH the right and the aftermath. Second Call Defense makes sure you’re covered so the confidence you have in your gun carries over when the legal fight begins. Become a Member today.