visiting california

[ssierra]

i plan on occasion to visit friends and do some plinking/target shooting. i was wondering about the rules to bring a semi auto pistol (springfield XD .45acp) to the state, to visit, not permenant.

do i need to get a permit, registration, etc?
particular ammo?
i know i need to get new 10 round mags, cant bring my 13's.
locked case, in the trunk, in a box in trunk, etc?

any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance from a former san diegan, now in arizona.

[Quiet]

Do not bring any large capacity magazines with you.
No permits/registration required.
No AP, incendiary or tracer ammo.
Transport the handgun unloaded and in a lock container (vehicle's glove/utility compartment is not a locked container).

I will be traveling to California and want to carry my weapon. I currently have a concealed weapon permit. How can I legally transport my weapon while driving through the state?

California law does not recognize concealed weapon permits from other states; therefore, they would not be held valid. If you wish to transport a handgun during your California visit, it should be carried unloaded in a locked container. In the absence of a suitable container, you may secure the unloaded handgun in the locked trunk of a passenger car. Ammunition may be kept in the same container or trunk, but the handgun must remain unloaded with no rounds in the cylinder and no loaded magazines in the magazine well.

If you have additional questions, contact the California Department of Justice at 916-227-3703.

[paul0660]

A car trunk IS a locked container, it is ok to carry the unloaded gun there. Theoretically it is ok to have the ammo in the trunk as well (not in the gun of course) but it is better to put the ammo elsewhere. I use a small keyed cash box which I got at Staples for transporting in my van.

[Glock22Fan]

Here you go.

I'm visiting California, can I bring my guns?

[rayra]

Although not strictly required by law, keeping your ammo separate from your firearm will help stave off even a determined Barney Fife.

[devildog999]

Do yourself a favor..... STAY AWAY FROM HERE!!!

[Rivers]

And the famous answer to the question "Do you have any firearms in your vehicle, Sir?" is... "I have nothing illegal in my vehicle."

Not to take anything away from CGN (which is awesome but CA-focused), there are volumes of horror stories on another national gun forum about illegal searches, when probable cause is established, etc. Good info for anyone, visitor or resident, who travels with any firearms in the vehicle. Check it out: http://www.defensivecarry.com/

[sorensen440]

Although not strictly required by law, keeping your ammo separate from your firearm will help stave off even a determined Barney Fife.

Might help if barney see's your ammo but toss a jacket over the gun and ammo if in the passenger compartment and decline to consent to a search and you will be fine.

[proudamerican831]

deleted

[ssierra]

thanks for the info everyone, but i have come up with a few more questions now. i understand that i am only allowed to have the gun in the car "en route" and locked in the trunk, with ammo seperate. no problem. i take it that as long as all that is cool, no one can hassel me being from out of state?

alse does anyone know of any programs or groups that will take hi cap mags in exchange for standard (10 round) cap mags. i bet if anyone wanted to try to take on something like that there would be some government support.

even though i dont really like the idea, i still have a little respect for the law, as long as i am still allowed to have a gun. whats 3 rounds between us legal citizens, since i can still carry extra mags. i just hope that such a program wouldnt set off the anti gun folks that we are willing to give up our stuff. but that we are people who want to play by the rules and not upset the authorities, thus giving us a negative image.

i know the country is all about being acomidating to every one (unfortunatly even criminals) just thinking that this might be helpful to them, and help us get legal, without the cost (maybe not free, but a coupon deal, or discount) by having to shell out to buy all new mags.

just ranting off ideas, i am open to criticism (constructive) and hope this can help. feel free to move to a more apropriate thread, if i am out of place.

[domokun]

thanks for the info everyone, but i have come up with a few more questions now. i understand that i am only allowed to have the gun in the car "en route" and locked in the trunk, with ammo seperate. no problem. i take it that as long as all that is cool, no one can hassel me being from out of state?

As long as your handgun is compliant with CA firearms law, you should good to go. One more thing is that your handgun SHOULD NOT have a threaded barrel on it if you're coming to CA with it.

alse does anyone know of any programs or groups that will take hi cap mags in exchange for standard (10 round) cap mags. i bet if anyone wanted to try to take on something like that there would be some government support.

There isn't a government program or groups to do magazine exchanges that you're thinking of and probably never will be one to do this. You will need to leave the 10+ round capacity magazines at home and either buy CA legal magazines (10 rounds or less) for your handgun prior to or after your arrival in CA.

even though i dont really like the idea, i still have a little respect for the law, as long as i am still allowed to have a gun. whats 3 rounds between us legal citizens, since i can still carry extra mags. i just hope that such a program wouldnt set off the anti gun folks that we are willing to give up our stuff. but that we are people who want to play by the rules and not upset the authorities, thus giving us a negative image.

i know the country is all about being acomidating to every one (unfortunatly even criminals) just thinking that this might be helpful to them, and help us get legal, without the cost (maybe not free, but a coupon deal, or discount) by having to shell out to buy all new mags.

just ranting off ideas, i am open to criticism (constructive) and hope this can help. feel free to move to a more apropriate thread, if i am out of place.

See replies in-line in bold.

[Quiet]

Answers in bold.

thanks for the info everyone, but i have come up with a few more questions now. i understand that i am only allowed to have the gun in the car "en route" and locked in the trunk, with ammo seperate. no problem. i take it that as long as all that is cool, no one can hassel me being from out of state? No one will hasle you for being out-of-state.

alse does anyone know of any programs or groups that will take hi cap mags in exchange for standard (10 round) cap mags. i bet if anyone wanted to try to take on something like that there would be some government support. There are no programs that do this.

even though i dont really like the idea, i still have a little respect for the law, as long as i am still allowed to have a gun. whats 3 rounds between us legal citizens, since i can still carry extra mags. i just hope that such a program wouldnt set off the anti gun folks that we are willing to give up our stuff. but that we are people who want to play by the rules and not upset the authorities, thus giving us a negative image. As long as the ammo is not AP, incendinary or tracer, it's good to go in CA. If you want to be politically correct, use "lead free" ammo.

i know the country is all about being acomidating to every one (unfortunatly even criminals) just thinking that this might be helpful to them, and help us get legal, without the cost (maybe not free, but a coupon deal, or discount) by having to shell out to buy all new mags. Buy new magazines, do your part to stimulate the economy.

just ranting off ideas, i am open to criticism (constructive) and hope this can help. feel free to move to a more apropriate thread, if i am out of place.