Hard case for transporting

[Ricky-Ray]

I have a small plastic hard case that I would like to use to transport a small firearm every now and then. Since it has to be a locking container, can I just but a lock over the handle since this case does not have the eyelets for me to put the lock thru it? If the lock is on and I attempt to open the case it opens just slightly but not enough to where I'm able to get the firearm out without removing the lock.

Is the case I'm using good enough? Thanks for your help.

[ChrisTKHarris]

If you can touch it with a finger then it's not considered locked. It needs to be locked well enough that a person cannot physically touch the firearm.

[Greg-Dawg]

Get an SKB with a TSA approved key/lock system and they won't hassle you. My SKB has been great with travel.

[Ricky-Ray]

Thanks for the answer Chris, that was what I was looking for.

I have a couple of Pelican cases that I can use but this one was just smaller for convenience sake.

[Ricky-Ray]

What about the soft nylon cases with a double zipper? If I lock the zipper's together there's no way for me to open it and access/touch my gun.

[vta]

If you can touch it with a finger then it's not considered locked. It needs to be locked well enough that a person cannot physically touch the firearm.

where in the penal code does it talk about this no touching of the firearm requirement? i don't believe it goes into that level of detail. it just says a fully enclosed locked case.

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

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

"The term "locked container" means a secure container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device."

[paul0660]

No mention of fingers in the PC, and if it did it would have to specify pinkie vs. pointer, but not being able to touch it is a good standard. So would be not being able to see it.

Soft cases are fine if they are fully enclosed.

[JohnFLand]

Get an SKB with a TSA approved key/lock system and they won't hassle you. My SKB has been great with travel.

Might want to research that; I seem to recall that the lock must NOT be one that TSA can open (you show up early and walk the case through inspection, then lock it up). See:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

[Old4eyes]

Are we talking transporting on the ground in California, or flying?

In the case of ground transportation in California it could be a soft or hard case. You might take flak from a LEO about if you could pry open the case enough to touch the pistol. So why chance that. I say you're good to go if it takes a tool to get to the gun. In the instance of a soft case, a knife to slice through the cloth/leather or a pen to open the zipper constitutes a tool.

If you are flying, it's a hard case and a NON TSA lock. Only you should have the combo/key for the lock and the TSA approved locks are obviously not that type. JohnFland posted the URL for TSA, here's text from Southwest's site about the luggage and lock:

• Firearms must be encased in a hard-sided, LOCKED container that is of sufficient strength to withstand normal handling, as follows:
1. A firearm in a hard-sided, locked container may be placed inside a soft-sided, unlocked suitcase.
2. A firearm placed inside a hard-sided, locked suitcase does not have to be encased in a container manufactured for the transportation of firearms.
3. Only the Customer checking the luggage should retain the key or combination to the lock. No exceptions will be made.

[shortround1]

This is a great excuse to get a nice pelican or storm case.

[Ricky-Ray]

Thanks for the info. It's mainly within CA via ground transportation, plus the occasional trip to Vegas.