Question about transporting ammo in car

[allenst65]

That's the point, today's cops are enforcing laws to the letter and beyond, and they are always eager to put the responsibility on th DA and wipe their hands clean.

I agree with this slight rewording "today's cops are enforcing laws as they believe them to be to the letter and beyond..."

Much like a fisherman who's told to go catch sharks, they end up netting anything that swims and has fins, only to let someone else decide what's a legal catch.

If they run across you doing anything that they interpret as breaking a law they will hook and book, then hit the streets to look for more evil-doers.

Just curious, for our LE friends, how much training do officers really get on the law? Each year we have so many new laws hitting the books, and I know with my own firearms focus I can wade through the pc only to get confused, so how much practical understanding do our LEO really have?

[Miltiades]

I'f follow the DOJ advice given above...

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.

I wish I had a dollar for every time this question has come up.

I believe that Kneedeep nailed the answer above, by going to the CA DOJ website and reading what they say about the law. If I may summarize this, the key points are:

1. Keep the empty handgun locked in a container or the trunk.
2. You can keep the ammunition in the same container or trunk, but it can't be in the gun.

As for loaded magazines, the paragraph above only says they can't be in the "magazine well". However, if cops might hassle you for loaded magazines in general, maybe it is smart not to load them until you get to the range.

[zefflyn]

Another key point of transporting weapons and ammo - don't break any laws while you're traveling about.

You have nothing to worry about if you DON'T get pulled over for driving erratically on the wrong side of the road, with a busted taillight, missing front license plate, too-dark tint on windows, speeding, the wrong way on a one-way street, after making an illegal U-turn in a school zone, narrowly missing the crossing guard and a flock of nuns.

[mstlaurent]

And not only that, but when was the last time the LEO demanded to search your car as part of a traffic stop? I've never had it happen. And unless you give him probable cause he won't. You could have a suitcase nuke in a duffle bag on your back seat and Jimmy Hoffa in your trunk, and it wouldn't make a lick of difference. Just smile, say, "Yes, sir, I'm sorry," take your ticket, and drive away.

[bwiese]

And not only that, but when was the last time the LEO demanded to search your car as part of a traffic stop? I've never had it happen. And unless you give him probable cause he won't. You could have a suitcase nuke in a duffle bag on your back seat and Jimmy Hoffa in your trunk, and it wouldn't make a lick of difference. Just smile, say, "Yes, sir, I'm sorry," take your ticket, and drive away.

Generally true but don't count on it. Lotsa 'pretext searches', esp in metro areas, and depends on your appearance.

I've been pulled over for just a warning, without grief - sitting on more firepower than your average South American tinpot country has (albeit legally transported). Clean new truck, short hair + nice shirt + shined shoes + Rolex + well-spoken all adds up to a bit more relaxed setting.

And as (cop) AR15Fan on ARFcom says (paraphrased a bit), "It's not illegal to drive with a dead hooker in your trunk if your car's taillights are working."

[mgcchkn]

It says locked trunk of a passenger car. I have a truck with bedcover and lockable tailgate, neither of which can be opened unless unlocked. Would this pass as a "locked trunk of a passenger car?" Or no, because it is not infact a "locked trunk" in the traditional sense, and it's also technically not a "passenger car."

And is it legal to carry ammunition in the cab of a truck if there are no firearms present in the cab with the ammunition? If so, does the ammunition in cab have to be in a locked container?

ETA: Reason I ask, I just went through a firearms course and there was a discussion about this and one of the people was a Sheriff's Deputy and he said both the guns and ammo had to be in separate locked containers not and not in the same space of the vehicle.

[CSDGuy]

It says locked trunk of a passenger car. I have a truck with bedcover and lockable tailgate, neither of which can be opened unless unlocked. Would this pass as a "locked trunk of a passenger car?" Or no, because it is not infact a "locked trunk" in the traditional sense, and it's also technically not a "passenger car."

Personal guess: this may not not be considered the same as a lockable trunk or a lockbox. Your best bet would be to check with the DOJ Firearms Div.

And is it legal to carry ammunition in the cab of a truck if there are no firearms present in the cab with the ammunition? If so, does the ammunition in cab have to be in a locked container?

This would be legal. There is nothing that says that ammunition must be locked up. It just must be separated from the weapon, or in case of a handgun, not in the same locked space. If the weapon is considered concealable, you run afoul of 12031 (g). There is also case law that deals specifically with this as well, and that has been posted several times on this board.

ETA: Reason I ask, I just went through a firearms course and there was a discussion about this and one of the people was a Sheriff's Deputy and he said both the guns and ammo had to be in separate locked containers not and not in the same space of the vehicle.

The Deputy is wrong. Only a concealable gun (not a long gun) must be locked separately from the ammunition. The rules for long guns under 12031 (g) are spelled out also in case law.

[mgcchkn]

Thanks CSDGuy.

[CSDGuy]

Thanks CSDGuy.

You're welcome! The rules and laws are available...

[Californio]

Please define locked case/container.

I put my handgun in a compartment of my soft luggage with a TSA lock on the zippers when traveling (auto with an empty mag in the well). The ammo/spare empty mags/jackass rig is in other soft luggage with TSA lock on the zippers. Both bags sit in back of the SUV. Actually the other bag is a bailout bag I have carried while car traveling ever since Loma Prieta, being caught away from home with only a suit/wingtips doesn't really work.

Does this pass or does the case need to be a hard case?

[CSDGuy]

Please define locked case/container.

I put my handgun in a compartment of my soft lugage with a TSA lock on the zippers when traveling (auto with an empty mag in the well). The ammo/spare empty mags/jackass rig is in other soft lugage with TSA lock on the zippers. Both bags sit in back of the SUV. Actually the other bag is a bailout bag I have carried while car traveling ever since Loma Prieta, being caught away from home with only a suit/wingtips doesn't really work.

Does this pass or does the case need to be a hard case?

It can be hard or soft, as long as it meets the requirements of:

PC 12026.1 (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.

[P7Collector]

So with handguns as long as the gun is locked in a case, the ammo can be right next to it? Is there any seperate laws for going to and coming from the range or shooting event?

[CSDGuy]

So with handguns as long as the gun is locked in a case, the ammo can be right next to it? Is there any seperate laws for going to and coming from the range or shooting event?

The answer to your question can be found Here. The relevant court cases should also be in a nearby thread as well.

[Greg-Dawg]

Basically,

-Unloaded gun in locked box
-Empty or unloaded magazines in your range bag
-and keep ammo in factory box.

All separated from each other in your trunk, or if you're like me with an SUV, kept in the back with the tarp rolled out.

You'll be safe.

[Nylo]

keep your guns in a locked gun case and the ammo in the range bag. You will have no worries my friend.

I just came back from a CCW renewal class for Nevada and was told by my instructor that Kalifornia now requires Handgun ammo to be in its own locked container, but cannot find any evidence of this.