Can a Police K9 sniff out my handgun?

[thefinger]

I know that it is 100% legal for a CA LTC permit holder to possess a firearm on a school campus, so this question is not focusing on the legality of doing so. I also know that the school's policy for student and faculty behavior may create other problems for an LTC person. For the purposes of this question I am simply concerned about the social stigma that would arise from an "incident."

So here's the question:

I know that almost all schools now employ K9 units to periodically sniff out drugs and other contraband on their campuses. If I were to leave one of my LTC firearms in my car while on campus, is there a chance that a K9 would be able to somehow alert to the firearm that is hidden (either in glovebox, under seat, etc.) in my car? Would the dog be able to alert to the firearm if the firearm is on my person?

[MrClamperSir]

Absolutely dogs can sniff out guns (gunpowder and other explosives) if they are trained to do so. Best thing for you would be to inquire within the school security on just what it is they do to keep ya'll "safe".

[Saym14]

could a K9, if traned for guns, tell the difference snigging my car, between
1) actually having a gun in it? or
2) yesterday Ihad 5 guns, ammo, shells, etc in the back as I went to the range?

[Old_Bald_Guy]

I know that almost all schools now employ K9 units to periodically sniff out drugs and other contraband on their campuses.

This, in my experience, is not true.

[Coyotegunner]

My pointers picked up on a empty shotgun hull from last season yesterday.It was in my pocket and they started whining and jumped in my truck.I know speaking with Fish/Game,their dogs are trained in gun shot residue,tracking and game smells.

[ohiknow]

This, in my experience, is not true.

In my experience, this is absolutely true. Had them when I was in school 13 years ago.

[Old_Bald_Guy]

I reckon it's a matter of comparing experience. I've been working in various capacities in public schools continuously since 1985. I'm familiar with the practices of many districts in my area, many of which serve large numbers of students. That said, it's a big state, and YMMV.

"Absolutely" is a word with a very precise meaning, one I seldom use in discussions about things that are hard to accurately quantify in the moment.

[Old_Bald_Guy]

On the topic of the ability of LE K9's to detect firearms, those that are trained to do so are gonna have an easier time finding guns that haven't been well cleaned since they were last fired. I'm not sure how proficient they are at locating guns that are really clean. By that, I mean I'm not sure--maybe they can, maybe they can't. I don't know.

[akoba]

I dont know if this is related to the topic.

Few months ago when i was in Sacramento airport arrival area. I walk in front of two police officers, one airport security and a K9 dog. I was worried about the dog that it detect (smell) my firearm. But to my surprise there's no reaction on both officers (means i'm concealing vry well i think) and that dog. Then while waiting on one of the bench, they also walk on my side (i was sitting on the edge of the bench).

[Kid Stanislaus]

Best thing for you would be to inquire within the school security on just what it is they do to keep ya'll "safe".

Are you SERIOUSLY suggesting this is a solution to the OP's security when on campus?

[greybeard]

I am going to say they will not detect a firearm and a few rounds of ammo in a locked car. A couple of kegs of power in the trunk maybe

[CSACANNONEER]

In my experience, this is absolutely true. Had them when I was in school 13 years ago.

So, it's ABSOLUTELY TRUE that MOST schools have K9s because, you attended one school, 13 years ago, that had a K9 unit? I have a funny feeling that youe extremely limited experiences aren't enough for you to know what "most" or even "any school other than the one you attended" has in the way of security patrols.

[thefinger]

So, it's ABSOLUTELY TRUE that MOST schools have K9s because, you attended one school, 13 years ago, that had a K9 unit? I have a funny feeling that youe extremely limited experiences aren't enough for you to know what "most" or even "any school other than the one you attended" has in the way of security patrols.

For the purposes of my original question, let's assume that the school I visit DOES have dogs on campus occasionally. The matter of how often the dogs are there is kind of pointless to my question. Just assume that they are there "sometimes."

[Chief-7700]

That is not a school, it is a day prison! Taking hands off keyboard before I get banned.
Chief

[IntoForever]

From my experiences in various schools, and we did have full blown riots on a few occasions, I've only seen a police dog once. Being in a classroom with the door closed I would miss any that were only out while we were in class. Someone had found out about the surprise visit to sniff lockers for drugs and an unknown amount of white powdered drug was dumped on the ground and when the dog hit on it, he got loaded and the search terminated.