Is the trunk a locked container?

[dunndeal]

So, how do you defend yourself with your pistol locked in the trunk?

Here in California, we can't, at least, not without a CCW.

[Oceanbob]

You avoid conflict

So, how do you defend yourself with your pistol locked in the trunk?

And 'let it go'. No road rage allowed when weapons are concerned. Smile and let the A Hole pass by..lol..

No fingers; no radical moves to incite anger; be calm, drive safely. We don't want a firefight at the stop light.

Now...I carry in a locked briefcase. If I am driving thru certain parts of town at night that briefcase might be up front with me. Still legal and still avoiding
confrontations.

Staples has a good one for $29. Looks normal and no one would think a GLOCK 20 with 6 magazines would be inside.

[chim-chim7]

For inside my truck carry I use a nano vault. Big enough to store one handgun and one maybe two mags. It locks, its made out of steel and it comes with a cable. I have quick acess to it since it sits next to me.

[sequoia_nomad]

In Arizona you can drive around with a loaded handgun in your lap, no permit required. Just sayin'.

[darmog]

You can also unloaded, open carry(UOC) in California even while driving.

[scootle]

This always puzzled me a bit...

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. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment. For more information, refer to California Penal Code Section 12026.1.

In my case, I drive a wagon, so I have to use a lockbox regardless since technically you can climb over the seat to the trunk and reach the "container" where my handgun is transported. However...

For inside my truck carry I use a nano vault. Big enough to store one handgun and one maybe two mags. It locks, its made out of steel and it comes with a cable. I have quick acess to it since it sits next to me.

The above is legal? Just because it's "locked"? So then, why is a locked glove box not allowed?

Now...I carry in a locked briefcase. If I am driving thru certain parts of town at night that briefcase might be up front with me. Still legal and still avoiding confrontations.

Similarly, this is legal, but the "glove box" is not?

I understood the intent of this entire transport law is to prevent "road rage" issues where you can unlock and reach a gun to shoot at another driver. But if the above two examples are actually considered legal... man, our laws are simply bewildering.

[chim-chim7]

Yep perfectly legal. Must be in a locked container not a glove box even if it has a lock. I can reach for my gun and load it in a matter of a few seconds and I am not breaking any laws.

[chim-chim7]

Let me restate that. I am not breaking any laws while transporting my firearm. Loading it and removal under normal circumstances is illegal.

[scootle]

Yep perfectly legal. Must be in a locked container not a glove box even if it has a lock. I can reach for my gun and load it in a matter of a few seconds and I am not breaking any laws.

Let me restate that. I am not breaking any laws while transporting my firearm. Loading it and removal under normal circumstances is illegal.

Of course. It still strikes me as weird that they would specifically exclude the glove box (presumably since you can reach it from the driver seat) but not "locked" containers such as briefcases, nanovaults, etc. that you keep at arm's length. I'd be interested to know how a lawyer would address this topic, but it's no big deal. I just leave my (unloaded) toys in the trunk.

To the OP... if you were wondering about how to lock the main compartment of your new Midway bag, I have the same one -- it's easy. Picture attached.

ETA: Just so nobody is mis-guided by this advice, I did more research and as was pointed out, the fact you can reach in to the bag through the velcro and "touch" the gun, it's a complete no-go. A locking pistol rug or box inside the Midway bag is the only "legal" way to fly unless you have a fully locked/sealed trunk.

[darmog]

Yeah, CA gun laws are full of weird. Like I stated previously, you can unloaded, open carry while driving, too, so I can have my unloaded gun holstered to my hip in plain view with fully loaded mags on the other side of my hip and it'd be completely legal (of course, it still has to be locked if going by K-12th grade school zones) but I have to have it in a locked box with unloaded mags if it's not on my hip?

[LloydXmas250]

To the OP... if you were wondering about how to lock the main compartment of your new Midway bag, I have the same one -- it's easy. Picture attached.

Thanks. That's what I was thinking of doing. Thanks again.

[GrizzlyGuy]

The above is legal? Just because it's "locked"? So then, why is a locked glove box not allowed?



Similarly, this is legal, but the "glove box" is not?

Because the law says that a glove box is not legal. See here in 12026.1:

(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.

And here in 12026.2:

(d) As used in this section, "locked container" means a secure
container which is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, keylock,
combination lock, or similar locking device. The term "locked
container" does not include the utility or glove compartment of a
motor vehicle.

[paul0660]

Yeah, CA gun laws are full of weird. Like I stated previously, you can unloaded, open carry while driving, too, so I can have my unloaded gun holstered to my hip in plain view with fully loaded mags on the other side of my hip and it'd be completely legal (of course, it still has to be locked if going by K-12th grade school zones) but I have to have it in a locked box with unloaded mags if it's not on my hip?

Doesn't have to be on your hip. Has to be in plain view, and may be in a holster.


oh yeah..........the mags can be loaded in the box, just not inserted in the gun.

[Beelzy]

Is a Zip-Tie considered a "Similar Locking Device"?? The Police use them as handcuffs.

[Moto4Fun]

So what is the definition of unloaded open carry? I am not going walking around town, but if it is legal to carry open and unloaded, that sounds like a better option while driving than locked in a box/bag unloaded.