would this method work for carrying to the range?

[Fjold]

ccw,

Yes we agree. A glove compartment on its own is not a locked box, but a handgun can be placed in a locked container and then inside a glove compartment.

-Gene

I agree, in my post I meant that the glovebox is not a locked container to hold a handgun. Not that you couldn't put another locked container inside it.

[Fate]

You can also legally carry it holstered on your waist if it is unloaded.

[natedogg1777]

Where/ what is the PC regarding being able to transport an unloaded handgun in plain view and not having to have your ammo/magazines locked up? thanks,

[hoffmang]

Nate,

The PC runs the other way. There is PC that says you can't open carry loaded and says that you can't transport or carry concealed unless in a locked container.

There are no restrictions on the transport of ammo or magazines - only loaded firearms. Please see People v. Clark to understand what is and isn't a loaded firearm.

[ccwguy]

Where/ what is the PC regarding being able to transport an unloaded handgun in plain view and not having to have your ammo/magazines locked up? thanks,

A pistol in plain sight is not 'concealed' and therefore you need not lock it! It needs to be locked only if it is concealed. Funky, yes.

Edit: If there is no law AGAINST it, you can do it!

[Knauga]

Keep it simple. Get a cheapy range bag, use one of the stupid gun locks that they made you buy to pick up your damned gun to lock the range bag and then put the ammo in a separate container... or even in a separate compartment of the range bag.

It ain't hard, but trying to skirt the edge of the law will really only leads to issues that you may not want to deal with. Yeah, they may let you go, but sitting on the side of the road or in the back of a squad car because Deputy Bubba is bored and don't like your attitude so he's running you and your guns through every possible database in the US hoping something will pop isn't on my to do list.

[hoffmang]

Any case law (vs rumor) on what a "utility compartment" is? Some people say the center console. Some even go so far as to say it includes a cross-bed toolbox in a pickup truck's bed. I however, differentiate an OEM center console from any aftermarket locked container - including if someone happens to install one in a vehicle somewhere which includes between the two front seats. I lose no sleep over that.

I think you're in common sense land. A center console lift up designed into the car would probably be a utility box, but a gun vault added in would not. Also, I don't think any judge would agree that an after market tool box in the pickup bed is a utility box in question - especially since its not in the passenger compartment.

-Gene

[BaronW]

I just got a soft pistol case as an early Christmas present, and there's a metal loop where the zipper goes when it's closed, meaning I can padlock the zipper shut. Does this count as a "secure" locked container, even though someone with a knife could extract the gun?

[hoffmang]

Baron,

I use one of those as a locked case quite often.

-Gene

[M. Sage]

Keep it simple. Get a cheapy range bag, use one of the stupid gun locks that they made you buy to pick up your damned gun to lock the range bag and then put the ammo in a separate container... or even in a separate compartment of the range bag.

It ain't hard, but trying to skirt the edge of the law will really only leads to issues that you may not want to deal with. Yeah, they may let you go, but sitting on the side of the road or in the back of a squad car because Deputy Bubba is bored and don't like your attitude so he's running you and your guns through every possible database in the US hoping something will pop isn't on my to do list.

Um, nowhere in PC does it say you have to put your ammo and/or mags in a separate container or section. The cable locks they force us to get aren't usually too well suited for locking range bags.

I just got a soft pistol case as an early Christmas present, and there's a metal loop where the zipper goes when it's closed, meaning I can padlock the zipper shut. Does this count as a "secure" locked container, even though someone with a knife could extract the gun?

It's a container, and it's locked. I use a soft-side, too, but the lock is integrated on the zipper.

[Knauga]

Um, nowhere in PC does it say you have to put your ammo and/or mags in a separate container or section. The cable locks they force us to get aren't usually too well suited for locking range bags.

For the first part go back to my original post. I'm not talking about PC, I'm talking about common sense that will generally keep you from sitting on the curb or in the back seat of the squad car while Deputy Bubba, who don't like yer thinkin on what is in the PC and what ain't, is running you through every conceivable database hoping above all that your name is remotely associated with something that he can legitimately haul you in with because. I learned at a young age not to give somebody a reason to mess with you, it makes life easier that way. If it is all completely out of sight, even better.

To the second part, those locks aren't suitable for anything useful.. .but they do lock my range bags nicely. I have three pockets on my bag, two have loops in the zippers that the cable lock fits through nicely.

[Para]

the cable locks can actually be pretty handy if you stop thinking of them as only for guns.

I use one on my cheapy bike that has no quick disconnect parts. I give my spares to friends for this purpose also.

They are great for construction job sites where tools walk off easily.
(loop through skil saw handle and lock it to something)

Ladders to lumber racks.

Anywhere you want a deterent type lock they work great.

[high_revs]

In a large range bag, the ammo is held in the main compartment. The magazines in the magazine section, and the handguns in a mix of inside the main compartment and in the outside pockets. The range bag goes into the trunk of a vehicle which does not have a pass-through from the passenger compartment, nor can the seats fold down.

That complies with all laws.

i just got a larger range bag for my pistols with two compartments and multiple pockets outside. this is how i plan on transporting now. so same scenario above, i.e. handguns in their cases in one compartment, ammo in another compartment. now, do the "empty' magazines have to be in a separate compartment from the ammo? or does the empty magazine sharing the compartment with ammo that make it non-compliant?

if not, will it be compliant if the stock gun cases' handles (like my USP and Springfield plastic hard case) be wrapped in my gun locks (lock with ~10"-12" cable, which they usually are). i'm asking because of the wording on the DOJ's site below. i'd like to validate whether this situation (case with or without handles wrapped in a cable gun lock) would be considered a firearm *not* deemed loaded if ammo and magazines are in same compartment, but magazines are empty? does doj consider the *ability* to load magazines and load into a firearm (even if in a locked car trunk, not accessible by passenger) a loaded firearm?

i know it's splitting hairs and yes, i can use the old 2nd bag for the ammo. but just asking for this scenario. also because i like to bring my own targets, large card board to hold the stapled targets on the clips to indoor ranges. so if it's possible to have just 1 bag, and the other for the targets/cardboard....


For the purposes of Penal Code section 12023 (commission or attempted commission of a felony while armed with a loaded firearm), a firearm is deemed loaded when both the firearm and the unexpended ammunition capable of being discharged from the firearm are in the immediate possession of the same person.

[jakemccoy]

hey... this is how i intended to carry my pistol and ammo to the range. please let me know if there are any problems with what you think i want to do.

the pistol will be locked with a CA approved cable lock, while its locked it will be placed in it's regular no lock blue case. the pistol/case will then be placed inside a military surplus ammo can along with ammo.

once the ammo can is closed it can be locked via loop in the lid by a regular key lock.

then once everything is locked up i'm transporting it to the range in the locked trunk of my car.

now is everything i plan on doing sounds reasonable enough and safe for to and from the range? this is my first pistol and want to make sure i'm doing everything in a legal manner as well as safe practices.

please let me know. thanks.

Here's what the Department of Justice says...

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php?PHPSESSID=5cf915a13b5f10e8cd60484848515a45

The rule is to have an unloaded handgun stored in a locked container, no ammo in the container. It's that simple.

From your setup, forget the cable lock. It means nothing. Lock the blue case with a padlock, or appropriately replace it. The rule does not go into detail about how secure the locked container must be.

[Shotgun Man]

i just got a larger range bag for my pistols with two compartments and multiple pockets outside. this is how i plan on transporting now. so same scenario above, i.e. handguns in their cases in one compartment, ammo in another compartment. now, do the "empty' magazines have to be in a separate compartment from the ammo? or does the empty magazine sharing the compartment with ammo that make it non-compliant?

[...]

I will assume you are serious.

It is ridiculous to suggest that having an empty magazine in the same compartment as ammo is tantamount to loading your gun, your definition relating to an armed felon notwithstanding.