Debates in the gun industry are nothing new and one of the more active debates is the usefulness of truck guns. The guys over at IraqVeteran8888, Eric and Chad, took on this debate for episode 320 of their Gun Gripes series.
For this debate, the term “truck gun” refers to carrying a weapon in your vehicle on a regular basis for means of defense, hunting, and the like. Practicality and security are at the heart of carrying on a regular basis in your vehicle.
The main thing that both Chad and Eric stress, along with the commenters on the video, is that locking your vehicle is not always enough to deter criminals and their motives. Their discussion is not going into the territory where someone would want to break into a vehicle and steal a firearm. They remind everyone that a big problem is people not storing their weapons properly or leaving them in plain sight.
In times gone by, it wasn’t weird or odd to see someone with a gun rack in their truck. People went about their business, and no one really cared about or bothered with the firearm. It is a different world now. Both guys stress that advertising that you own firearms by means of license plates, wraps, stickers, etc. on your vehicle might not be a smart move either. In the event that you’ll need to protect yourself, you want the element of surprise, and you won’t have that when you broadcast through various means that you have or are familiar with one.
But don’t get too irate yet. Both guys, being veterans, like the Tacti-cool gear and really love their MOLLE, but to certain crowds, that screams that you are a target. Again, having the element of surprise is paramount in a defensive situation. If you are kitted out in tacti-cool gear, it tends to scream that you are carrying a weapon. They are big proponents of the Grey Man approach.
That being said, situational awareness goes a long way. That comes down to making sure all your valuables in your car are stowed properly and out of sight, and that includes your firearms, which honestly should be a no-brainer. If you do have a vehicle weapon, make sure that the firearm can be deployed correctly and quickly if the need should arise.
Regardless of what weapon is chosen, it needs to be a practical firearm for carrying or road defense. The guys say that having something that increases your defensive standing over a handgun is the goal. They both like the idea of a pump-action shotgun or a 14.5” AR platform.
Chad is quick to point out that the AR doesn’t need to have all the bells and whistles attached, like a suppressor or crazy optic, but having a light, a sling, and a mag should be a great option. Eric adds that it’s both practical and sensible to be prepared and that may include having a battle belt to go along with the weapon.
When choosing the weapon for your vehicle, don’t make a big deal about what you have. Eric said that he keeps blankets in his car, the more girly the better for him. He even keeps extras in the factory packaging in case of roadside emergencies.
Which weapon you choose will depend heavily on the area you live in, the areas that you frequently visit, and applicable crime rates. It boils down to the fact that you never really know when you’ll need the weapon. Above all else, you need to make sure you’re following the local laws and requirements in your area.
The gents round out the video by saying that you need to choose an appropriate weapon and stow it properly. Also, more than anything else, make sure you have an adequate medical supply stash in your rig as that will get used far more often than the actual weapon.