Truck Camping with Firearm

[Cagunazrod]

I have a question regarding having a pistol in vehicle while camping.
I understand the law(s)/ procedure for transporting a pistol legally in CA from point A to point B.

My question is, when I am sleeping under the shell in the bed of my truck in CA, where does the gun need to be to remain legal ? Back in the cab, locked, unloaded, and out of reach?

If there is a link to a discussion or law I would appreciate it, as I want to make sure I am not breaking any law(s). I apologize if this has been discussed here prior.

Also, I do not have a CCW license/permit.

Thanks in advance.

[Title1guy]

This thread, including a link to a thread "sticky" within the thread, may be of some help. Good luck!

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1710330&highlight=Camping+firearm

[G-forceJunkie]

Firearms and ammo never have to be out of reach. Firearm must be Unloaded and in a locked container. then they can be anywhere in the vehicle. In your proposed situation, it comes down to if your vehicle, while parked and sleeping in it becomes a "domicile" thus you can have a loaded gun present. I don't have that answer.

[Cagunazrod]

Thank you guys.

[DentonandSasquatchShow]

When you are camping your campsite is considered your home and you can carry the firearm on your person.

[1320Fastback]

This is correct. When camping your vehicle is your home. Sleep well with it at your side ready to go if needed.

[Cagunazrod]

Thanks again for the feedback. I knew CA had a lot of gun restrictions, but never really payed much attention when I was younger, it's mind numbing.

I was wondering about a tent or truck camper being considered your home, but figured since this is CA the only way it would be legal is if the tent or camper was on your own property.

[middleofnowhere]

If you are parked somewhere and camping where you can be hassled by the police or security, be careful how you have your weapon. I used to drive a lot for work and would often park someplace to get a power nap before continuing my journey. A few times, I had a cop knock on my window and tell me I couldn’t park where I was. These were usually semi rural areas where off a highway.

[Cagunazrod]

@middleofnowhere . . . thank you, I will def. keep that in mind. The area(s) I will heading are along the Colorado River between Blythe and Yuma on the CA side. Not 'remote' but can usually be anywhere from 5 to 35 miles from the nearest town.

Side story . . . Years ago I was traveling between Kenai Alaska and So Cal in my Ford F-150 Long Bed. . . I would stop to sleep in the back, usually off the highway a bit. One time in Canada during the fall, I had pulled in adjacent to a gravel pit for the night. In the grey light of the morning I was woken by the sound of 2 loud 'BOOMS' . . . scared the living crap out of me . . . I heard some noise, and attempted to look out of my shell, but with the low light and condensation, I couldn't make out much. The I heard voices and something about 'California', followed by rocks landing on my shell and around my truck ! Fortunately I had left my slider to the cab open, I crawled through there, still in my skivies and got the hell out of there, they had fired their rifles to scare me off !!! . . . it worked. LOL

I think it was a couple hunters (since it was deer season) who weren't happy with my choice of camp spot. When I got home I called my friend up in Alaska and told him what had happened, he said "You got lucky, a few years back there was a hunter who was sleeping in his shell in his truck, some hunters thought he was out poaching on their land, so they shot up his truck not realizing he was inside. The guy died.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you are camping in a park or other area that it's illegal to possess a firearm in, it is illegal to have it at your campsite so, make sure that you can legally possess a firearm there prior to deciding to go or camp there. In CA, parks are a big issue so, make sure you check your local laws. Some parks are OK and some aren't.

[Cagunazrod]

If you are camping in a park or other area that it's illegal to possess a firearm in, it is illegal to have it at your campsite so, make sure that you can legally possess a firearm there prior to deciding to go or camp there. In CA, parks are a big issue so, make sure you check your local laws. Some parks are OK and some aren't.

Copy that, will do, and much appreciated.

[Quiet]

I have a question regarding having a pistol in vehicle while camping.
I understand the law(s)/ procedure for transporting a pistol legally in CA from point A to point B.

My question is, when I am sleeping under the shell in the bed of my truck in CA, where does the gun need to be to remain legal ? Back in the cab, locked, unloaded, and out of reach?

If there is a link to a discussion or law I would appreciate it, as I want to make sure I am not breaking any law(s). I apologize if this has been discussed here prior.

Also, I do not have a CCW license/permit.

Thanks in advance.

Ok to have loaded firearm in car while car camping? (09-2018)
^info in this thread is still correct.

[mikeyr]

slightly different question. I go camping with my firearms in my truck, locked and unloaded of course. I have a popup tent on the roof so that makes its a residence as I understand it. No legal issues about dispersed camping, but on the way home I stop at a CA campsite (Lake Cachuma in this case) where firearms are not allowed. What can I do ? I am not going to go home and drop off my firearm, but I have it with me because I legally could where I was camping the week before and now just on my way home.

By the way, I just camped and didn't make noises so no rangers bothered me, I kept the firearm locked in the truck and didn't bring it out to the tent, but asking what I legally should do.

[Cagunazrod]

Ok to have loaded firearm in car while car camping? (09-2018)
^info in this thread is still correct.

Thank you for that link. That clears things up.
Soooo, my truck is not considered an 'RV' but a 'Vehicle' regardless if I'm sleeping in the bed or not.
And even if I am in a designated 'Campground' which allows guns, I am still in a 'vehicle' and therefore the gun needs to be unloaded and in a locked container.

Man, that really makes a case for acquiring a CCW permit. If I am sleeping in a remote area and someone comes up and robs me at gun point, I can't defend myself. Even if I was able to unlock the gun box, load the pistol and be forced to defend myself, I would still be found guilty not just for the self defense portion, but having a loaded firearm in a vehicle in the 1st place.

I guess my only 'safe option' if you want to call it that, is to find a gun friendly campground, and sleep in a tent outside of my truck.

Really glad I posted this here. Thank you all very much for the information.
Amazing how restrictive CA gun laws are . . . I knew they were bad, but this is beyond ridiculous.

[Rgarbarino]

Don't ask, don't tell, that's how I do it.