"Loaded" firearm questions.

[render]

i've read a lot of good information but i am still a little unclear and this is the first place i've turned to.

there are a lot of rules and exceptions and i'm not quit sure what's allowed and what's not under california law and what's considered loaded in my particular circumstance.

i'm going camping, in a state park, and i would like to bring my firearm.
i know i can not have the gun "loaded".

first off, can i have rounds in a magazine, magazine not in the actual firearm, without the gun being considered loaded?

if so, can i store the loaded mags in the same case as my firearm that has no magazine in it and no round in the chamber and still be legal?

if not, can i store the gun in a box and have loaded magazines in a bag next to it, within my tent or car....preferably tent.

either way, do i have to LOCK the gun and/or the ammo in a box under any circumstance when at a campsite in a state park?

basically i want to keep my loaded mags and my gun in box. and if that's legal, my last question would i have to keep it locked. not sure what "stored" means. i could store it under my pillow but i'm certain that's not what the law considers stored.

please help. i'm just got my m&p 9mm yesterday and don't want to commit a felony due to ignorance.

lastly, it's my impression that i can have a fully loaded gun, not "stored", in my home. is this correct? say it's sitting on my bed stand ready to go but i have no intentions of using it. it's just sitting there....just in case. is this illegal?

[render]

wanted add that there are no kids and only my wife who is authorized to use the firearm while at home and at my camp site.

[paul0660]

I would like you to use the search function and see what happens.

[dls]

[monk]

Before the obligatory "search first" comments arrive, did some google work.

This one should answer all your questions: http://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=186457

This is extra that could be helpful.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=317477

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php

With that done, I say this with respect, please research first, then ask questions.


EDIT: And I got ninja'd.....

[render]

I did the searches. I'm not getting specific answers.

Can I have loaded magazines in the same box as my unloaded firearm while in my tent?
OR, do they have to separated and stored as such?

I know transporting is different. Ammo and gun separated by a lock or keep the gun in the trunk while ammo in the car, etc.

Do the same rules apply at a state campsite? Is a firearm not considered loaded when you have ammo in a mag and in the same box while transporting. the term "loaded" appears to have a different definition depending on where you are. I'm brand new to all of this.

[render]

Is this not false when transporting:

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index.php/Defining_loaded_in_California

[dls]

Let me try again.

I did the searches. I'm not getting specific answers.

Can I have loaded magazines in the same box as my unloaded firearm while in my tent? *3 - firearms permitted in vehicles and temporary lodgings when unloaded and "packed, cased or stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use"
OR, do they have to separated and stored as such?

I know transporting is different. Ammo and gun separated by a lock or keep the gun in the trunk while ammo in the car, etc.Can I have ammunition in the same case and compartment as the gun?
Yes.
Can my magazines for semiautomatic handguns have ammunition in them?
Yes. IN A LOCKED CASE,The locked case may be in any part of your vehicle that you like..

Do the same rules apply at a state campsite? Is a firearm not considered loaded when you have ammo in a mag and in the same box while transporting. the term "loaded" appears to have a different definition depending on where you are. I'm brand new to all of this.

[Librarian]

first off, can i have rounds in a magazine, magazine not in the actual firearm, without the gun being considered loaded?

Yes.

if so, can i store the loaded mags in the same case as my firearm that has no magazine in it and no round in the chamber and still be legal?

Yes.

either way, do i have to LOCK the gun and/or the ammo in a box under any circumstance when at a campsite in a state park?

No; locking is not required.

When transporting a handgun in a vehicle, if you conceal it*, the handgun must be in a completely enclosing locked case.

Ammunition may be in magazines or not, and in that locked case with the handgun, or not, as you please. There are no proximity/lock laws regarding ammunition transport.

The only time

Is a firearm not considered loaded when you have ammo in a mag and in the same box while transporting.

would be the case is when you are actually committing a crime, and then the magazines are not relevant; that's the topic of this part of the wiki article.

lastly, it's my impression that i can have a fully loaded gun, not "stored", in my home. is this correct? say it's sitting on my bed stand ready to go but i have no intentions of using it. it's just sitting there....just in case. is this illegal?

Yep, perfectly legal. Remember to take control of it if you have visitors, especially children - carry it or lock it up.

* it's a lot less complicated if you choose this manner of transport - it's described in Penal Code at 12026.1/.2 and LEOs understand it. But it's ALSO legal to transport OPENLY - LEOs are often nervous about that, and it's illegal inside Gun Free School Zones, those 1000' wide areas around K-12 schools.