Guns, vehicles and CA

[rgs1975]

Yes I did search for the answer first. I found people saying yes it's ok, people saying no it's not and people wavering that don't really know. So I figured I'd make a new thread and hope for a definitive answer.

Is it legal to transport a handgun (if legally carried in a locked container, in the trunk of a car and unloaded) at any time for any reason?

Do you actually have to be transporting for a reason like going to/from a range?

Also, the handgun is unloaded, in a locked container, inside my trunk. It's ok to have ammunition (not in the gun or in the locked container the gun is in) in the same trunk correct?

[Greg-Dawg]

Only to the range and/or gun club fuction.

[lawaia]

Transporting with a purpose only applies to RAW's (registered assault weapons). As long as the handgun is unloaded and in a locked container, you can drive around aimlessly for as long as you please.

The ammo can be inside the same locked container, as long as it is not in the gun itself. It can be in the magazines, as long as they are not inserted into the gun.

Your trunk would be considered a locked container as long as you cannot access it (without unlocking the access) from within the car cabin.

ETA: Don't listen to Greg-Dawg. He lives in a free state.

[SCMA-1]

From the California Highway Patrol website:

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html#05

"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."

[cineski]

Transporting with a purpose only applies to RAW's (registered assault weapons). As long as the handgun is unloaded and in a locked container, you can drive around aimlessly for as long as you please.

The ammo can be inside the same locked container, as long as it is not in the gun itself. It can be in the magazines, as long as they are not inserted into the gun.

Your trunk would be considered a locked container as long as you cannot access it (without unlocking the access) from within the car cabin.

ETA: Don't listen to Greg-Dawg. He lives in a free state.

[Strpd_Up_Brotha]

You can also leave it in plain view..with magazine out....Like on passenger seat.

[paul0660]

According to the California Penal Code, a citizen may transport a concealable firearm without regard to purpose, as long as it is lawful. (12026.1)

Anyone may transport a firearm to and from the locations in 12026.2.

Both of these specify a locked case, unloaded, etc.

So, are you a citizen, or not? Do you feel lucky............?

http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/12026.1.html

[kozumasbullitt]

You can also leave it in plain view..with magazine out....Like on passenger seat.

I know that's legal outside of a known school zone but that would be one he'll of a traffic stop when the officer sees it.

[paul0660]

You can also leave it in plain view..with magazine out....Like on passenger seat.

If not in a school zone.

[Strpd_Up_Brotha]

If not in a school zone.

YEAH .. forgot to add that....so to keep from running into that problem...here you go...http://www.calccw.com/Forums/legal/2...ndgun-car.html

[DaveFJ80]

From the California Highway Patrol website:

"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."

So let me get this straight. In CA, if you have your gun in a lock box and unloaded (in your trunk), you are not allowed to have the magazines loaded with ammo if also in a lock box and in the trunk?

I would assume it's just saving yourself time if you have a lot of mags that you want to load before going to the range. And as long as the loaded mags were locked in a box and out of reach from the driver (in the trunk), then where is the problem?

[Librarian]

So let me get this straight. In CA, if you have your gun in a lock box and unloaded (in your trunk), you are not allowed to have the magazines loaded with ammo if also in a lock box and in the trunk?

Not correct. Loaded mags, not in a mag well, are fine. They can be in the same box as the gun.

see http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/in..._in_California

[clickbang]

So let me get this straight. In CA, if you have your gun in a lock box and unloaded (in your trunk), you are not allowed to have the magazines loaded with ammo if also in a lock box and in the trunk?

I would assume it's just saving yourself time if you have a lot of mags that you want to load before going to the range. And as long as the loaded mags were locked in a box and out of reach from the driver (in the trunk), then where is the problem?

as long as the loaded mags are not in the gun, you are fine.

[SJgunguy24]

I had a combo locked box mounted in my truck next to the gear shifter, my mags were in the door. That is 100% legal and I could be locked and loaded in seconds.

[DaveFJ80]

as long as the loaded mags are not in the gun, you are fine.

That's what I figured.


Ok, one more quick/dumb question, just so I'm 100% sure on this (and so I don't get any flack from the RO's or others).....

When transporting a handgun (not long gun) to the range, I know it needs to be "locked" up in one way or another. I also know that you can keep the unloaded gun in a locked case (padlock) with the magazines in the same case. But what about transporting the gun to the range when it's not in a locked carry bag, like say in a regular zipper case or backpack, but the unloaded firearm has a lock on the gun itself? (cable lock or trigger lock).

I assume either option is legal in CA, but I just wanted to verify so I don't get any flack from others or RO's when they inspect the gun before shooting at the range (either bringing the unloaded firearm with no lock on it, but locked in case/bag..... or unloaded firearm with cable or trigger lock on it and in a 'sealed' bag with no lock on the bag).