Transporting a Handgun.

[boredin818]

What are the rules for transporting a handgun in California?
If it's in the case in my trunk and unloaded (like I do with my shotguns) and the ammo is nowhere near it, I should be ok right?

[pdizzle]

yes

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

[boredin818]

yes

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

What if I have a hatchback? or what if the car has back seats that fold down and give you access to the trunk?

[gorenut]

From what I understand.. the gun has to be completely inaccessible to the driver and passengers of the car. So if you have a hatchback, it needs to be in its own locked container.

[Quiet]

Handguns must be transported unloaded and in a locked container. Ammo can be in the same container.

There is no requirement for the locked container being unaccessible to the driver or passengers of a vehicle.

It is legal to have unloaded handguns and ammo in a range bag/backpack/etc in the seat next to you.

[gorenut]

Handguns must be transported unloaded and in a locked container. Ammo can be in the same container.

There is no requirement for the locked container being unaccessible to the driver or passengers of a vehicle.

It is legal to have unloaded handguns and ammo in a range bag/backpack/etc in the seat next to you.

Oops, more specifically, thats what I meant by inaccessible. Needs to be in a "locked container" Trunnk counts as a locked container as long as its separated from driver and passengers and can only be accessed by opening the trunk door.

[Ricky-Ray]

Handguns must be transported unloaded and in a locked container. Ammo can be in the same container.

There is no requirement for the locked container being unaccessible to the driver or passengers of a vehicle.

It is legal to have unloaded handguns and ammo in a range bag/backpack/etc in the seat next to you.

Never knew about the third line. Although whenever I head to the range the ammo is usually in a backpack or duffel bag and the guns are in another case locked and both are in the truck.

[boredin818]

Never knew about the third line. Although whenever I head to the range the ammo is usually in a backpack or duffel bag and the guns are in another case locked and both are in the truck.

Wait a sec.... So I could put the unloaded gun in 1 backpack section, and the ammo in another section of the backpack and keep it on the seat next to me? That sounds really normal, and we are in California

[BillCA]

Let's address this once again...

The most frequently cited which states:

(a) Section 12025 [carrying a concealed weapon statute. -BCA] shall not be construed to prohibit any citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing, receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm, from transporting or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person, provided that the following applies to the firearm:
... (1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle other than the utility or glove compartment.
... (2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying the firearm,
the firearm is contained within a locked container.
(b) The provisions of this section do not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful carrying or transportation of any pistol, revolver,
or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person in accordance with this chapter.
(c) As used in this section, "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock,
combination lock, or similar locking device.

exception

(a) A person is guilty of carrying a concealed firearm when he or she does any of the following:
...(1) Carries concealed within any vehicle which is under his or her control or direction any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
:
...(3) Causes to be carried concealedwithin any vehicle in which he or she is an occupant any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
:
(f) Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of this section.

This means that if the firearm is concealed inside your car, it must be either in the trunk or in a locked container other than the utility or glove compartment.

If your gun is carried openly in a non-concealed manner, then it needn't be in a locked case or compartment.

It would, however, be prudent to keep the ammunition well separated from the firearm, however.

[Librarian]

And of course, the Wiki FAQ addresses this ...

[Cokebottle]

Wait a sec.... So I could put the unloaded gun in 1 backpack section, and the ammo in another section of the backpack and keep it on the seat next to me? That sounds really normal, and we are in California

As long as the compartment containing the gun is "securely locked".

The gun and ammo can be together, it just cannot be loaded... but the gun must be locked up unless it is legally being carried openly (outside of a rights-free school zone).

[boredin818]

Do these rules apply if you are on an Indian Reservation? Since technically the state has no jurisdiction there.

[Cokebottle]

Do these rules apply if you are on an Indian Reservation? Since technically the state has no jurisdiction there.

Reservations have their own laws... often more restrictive.

In Arizona, a legal CCW is not valid on the reservation land in the four-corners area.

[Quiet]

Do these rules apply if you are on an Indian Reservation? Since technically the state has no jurisdiction there.

For the reservation located in CA, Public Law 280 equates that the reservations must abide by the CA penal code, in addition to any Tribal ordinances.

[gunnut57]

So how do I transport my weapons in a motorhome?