Auto Gun Vaults

[robrjohnson]

Does anyone know if these console gun vaults would be legal in CA for carrying a firearm in your vehicle?

[Matt C]

No, the center console is not a legal place to store a handgun.

[robrjohnson]

I know that storing a gun in the glove box or utility console is illegal because those locations are not considered a valid locking container like the trunk. So would it be legal to carry in a vault if the vault was on the seat, but not if the vault was placed in the console or is it always illegal to carry a gun in a locked case inside the cabin of the vehicle?

Could I put a gun in a valid locking case and then put that case in the glove box?

[RedDawn]

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/travel.htm

As long as the gun vault is a fully enclosed lockable container...it is legal. But remember, ammo must be stored separately.

[MudCamper]

As long as the gun vault is a fully enclosed lockable container...it is legal.

True. But is it. Looks like it might just be a locking door.

But remember, ammo must be stored separately.

NOT true. Ammo can be stored in the same container as the firearm, just not in the firearm.

[Rogue187]

I've seen this safe before..
It is actually a entire box that bolts into the center console.
Unless they rip the center console out the safe won't come out..
It's a sold unit.
I've been pondering getting one myself..
I just don't want to lose the storage space completely..

[Decoligny]

http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/travel.htm

As long as the gun vault is a fully enclosed lockable container...it is legal. But remember, ammo must be stored separately.

FUD ALERT

You DO NOT have to store the ammo seperately. The penal code only requires that the gun be "unloaded". For a law abiding citizen, unloaded means no ammo attached to the firearm. Being in the same secure container does not constitute "attached".

The only time that ammo and gun being in "proximity" to each other is considered is when you are "intent on commiting a felony" or you are actually involved in "street gang" type of criminal activity.

[RedDawn]

FUD ALERT

You DO NOT have to store the ammo seperately. The penal code only requires that the gun be "unloaded". For a law abiding citizen, unloaded means no ammo attached to the firearm. Being in the same secure container does not constitute "attached".

The only time that ammo and gun being in "proximity" to each other is considered is when you are "intent on commiting a felony" or you are actually involved in "street gang" type of criminal activity.

My apologies.
This was the information stated by local LEO's in my area.
But did alot of reading yesterday and you are definitely correct. Definition of unloaded is no ammo "attached" to the firearm.

[CSDGuy]

The gunvault that was linked to would not be legal. As long as it's not permanently attached to the body of the car, it's not a console... so don't bolt it down. Cable locks work just fine and do not turn those things into a console.

[liketoshoot]

Does anyone know if these console gun vaults would be legal in CA for carrying a firearm in your vehicle?

so this is not legal due to it's permanent mount, but this is due to the cable locking to a part of the car?

http://www.center-of-mass.com/Store_InCarGunSafe.htm

[Roccobro]

Definition of unloaded is no ammo "attached" to the firearm.

Be careful, some LEO's believe that ammunition in a mag is considered "attached to" or "loaded" as some places in the penal code state it is illegal. The case law was in response to someone having a shotgun with rounds in the butt stock compartment and that man+firearm were in or on a government building (or was it meeting place...).

I have the references on a computer at work. So no, I don't have the specific PC sections it quoted either. Again this is just another time you would have to explain to a mis-informed LEO of what is "legal" if stopped.

Justin

[Harrison_Bergeron]

I can't find it, but I thought I read in another thread that somewhere in the PC it specifies that the container cannot be within reach of the driver.

[MudCamper]

OK to dispell the FUD about what exactly loaded is, print and keep this in your car. Specifically read page 2.

I will quote myself:

12031 (g) A firearm shall be deemed to be loaded for the purposes of this section when there is an unexpended
cartridge or shell in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including, but not limited to, in the firing chamber,
magazine, or clip thereof attached to the firearm. **

** In “People v. Clark” (1996), the California Court of Appeal clarified that in order to be “loaded” a firearm must have
ammunition “placed into a position from which it can be fired”. It even went so far as to point out as an example of what
is not loaded to include shells attached to a shotgun inside a buttstock shell carrier.

** There is a common misconception that merely possessing both a firearm and ammunition on one’s person legally
equates to “loaded”. This mistake stems from several PC sections that do not apply to the law-abiding gun owner.
12001(j) and 12023 only apply to carrying a firearm while committing a felony. 12021.5 applies only to street gang
crimes as defined in 186.22. 12022.2 only applies to armor piercing ammunition. And finally 12025(b)(6)(A) can only
apply when one is convicted of a 12025 violation (carrying concealed).

And this:

I can't find it, but I thought I read in another thread that somewhere in the PC it specifies that the container cannot be within reach of the driver.

is pure fiction. Not true. I defy anyone to find this mythical PC section.