Visiting from UT, Question on Hi Capacity Mags

[Trvlngnrs]

Hi guys, I'm headed to San Diego for a little R&R this week. En-route, I'll be spending some time with my brother who is an avid shooter in the High Desert.

I'd like to bring 3 handguns to show/shoot with him (G19 with grip reduction/stippling by Cold Bore Customs, my M&P 9c with Delta Point milled into the slide/stippling by David Bowie, and my wife's M&P JG to show his wife).

All of the mags hold more than 10 rounds...I don't own any 10 rounders.

Will I be breaking any laws as a visitor to the State of CA if I brought one mag for each gun into the State? I heard it was OK if I disassembled the mags, but I would still have to reassemble them at the range.

Comments,
Trvlngnrs

[Bigtwin]

I do believe that is unlawful, those with more knowlege will hopefully chime in soon!

[eldonvieira]

you can bring them in disassembled but they must remain disassembled the entire time while in CA.

[vintagearms]

you can bring them in disassembled but they must remain disassembled the entire time while in CA.

THIS. OP, at NO time can they be assembled while in the state of CA.

[rromeo]

You need to find some 10 round mags. Yours can't be used.

[Oceanbob]

Correct...

you can bring them in disassembled but they must remain disassembled the entire time while in CA.

In addition be sure to keep the weapons unloaded in a locked case.

The bullets can be in the same locked case; just not in the weapon.

When I travel I carry a locked briefcase in the trunk. I keep the GLOCK unloaded with a full magazine next to it.

Have fun.!

[Trvlngnrs]

Well, my brother would let me borrow one for the Glock, then I could buy a 10 rounder for the full size M&P and use that in the M&P compact also.

Is it a felony or misdemeanor to have a mag that holds more than 10 rounds?

Thanks guys!!
Trvlngnrs

[Librarian]

Well, my brother would let me borrow one for the Glock, then I could buy a 10 rounder for the full size M&P and use that in the M&P compact also.

Is it a felony or misdemeanor to have a mag that holds more than 10 rounds?

Thanks guys!!
Trvlngnrs

'having' is not the problem - 'importing', as from UT to CA is the illegal act in question.

It's a "wobbler" - could be charged as either misdemeanor or felony. Bad medicine.

[BC9696]

Not true

In addition be sure to keep the weapons unloaded in a locked case.

The bullets can be in the same locked case; just not in the weapon.

When I travel I carry a locked briefcase in the trunk. I keep the GLOCK unloaded with a full magazine next to it.

Have fun.!

They must be separate if you don't want LEO issues. Having a loaded magazine in the same locked container will get you cited and you will have to plea it in court. If they are separated then no prob. Remember, LEO education regarding this matter varies, as do DFG, local, county, state and federal laws. Best to be safe.

[Connor P Price]

They must be separate if you don't want LEO issues. Having a loaded magazine in the same locked container will get you cited and you will have to plea it in court. If they are separated then no prob. Remember, LEO education regarding this matter varies, as do DFG, local, county, state and federal laws. Best to be safe.

Its not illegal, so what would they cite you for?

[Markus]

I keep this bookmarked on my iPhone just in case the fourth one down pertains to transporting weapons and clearly states you can have ammo in your locked container.

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

[Librarian]

Its not illegal, so what would they cite you for?

They have been known to mistakenly cite for PC 12031, loaded in a public place.

See also the Wiki article on loaded.

[Connor P Price]

They have been known to mistakenly cite for PC 12031, loaded in a public place.

See also the Wiki article on loaded.

That's what I figured. I suppose you've just gotta decide whether you are willing to take that fight or not.

[Bigtwin]

Ultimatly...what I and others have said! If you are here to visit, is it worth the conviction?! I know it sucks....visiting a non free state.

I recently had this conversation with a good friend of mine down from Washington, where he has a ccw permit(my how easy and cheap it was for him...$40, and done), he asked about if his ccw was ok here and his more than 10rds...I had to tell him otherwise!

[Miltiades]

Deja Vu

I have been reading Calguns postings for many years and am continually amazed at the regular recurrence of threads like this one - "can I bring my high cap magazine from state X on my upcoming trip to California?" Evidently the complex California gun laws are still a mystery to those living elsewhere. They are also a mystery to many of us living in California.

So we continue to advise out of state visitors not to bring their high cap magazines with them and risk a possible felony conviction.

But have you ever wondered how our vigilant CA LEOs manage to enforce this law? There must be hundreds of roads leading into CA from other states, and thousands of vehicles per hour crossing the state line into CA. There is no system for stopping and searching all those vehicles for high capacity magazines, and 99% of out of state visitors have no contact with LEOs while they are here. It even seems possible that CA LEOs have no great enthusiasm for enforcing this law, given the thick book of other CA laws they must enforce, many of which involve serious offenses.

So what is really going on here? Is it possible that most out of state visitors with guns don't really know about this law or even think to post the question on Calguns? Are they blindly bringing their high cap magazines into CA and getting away with it? Do the LEOs really care? Are there ever any prosecutions in CA for this offense?

I feel like Alice in Wonderland.