Shotgun + school zone = locked container

[Halfey]

To my understanding you can transport a shotgun w/o a locked container.

On my way to the range I pass through several school zones.

Is there a law where when you are in or passing a school zone with any gun long or short, it needs to be in a locked container.

Thanks

[Campaly]

CA Law

PC 626.9.
(a) This section shall be known, and may be cited, as the
Gun-Free School Zone Act of 1995.
(b) Any person who possesses a firearm in a place that the person
knows, or reasonably should know, is a school zone, as defined in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (e), unless it is with the written
permission of the school district superintendent, his or her
designee, or equivalent school authority, shall be punished as
specified in subdivision (f).

(c) Subdivision (b) does not apply to the possession of a firearm
under any of the following circumstances:
(2) When the firearm is an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed on the person and is in a locked
container or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle.
This section does not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful
transportation of any other firearm, other than a pistol, revolver,
or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person, in
accordance with state law.

Federal Law

(2)
(A) It shall be unlawful for any individual knowingly to
possess a firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects
interstate or foreign commerce at a place that the individual
knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the possession of a
firearm—
(i) on private property not part of school grounds;
(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to
do so by the State in which the school zone is located or a
political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or
political subdivision requires that, before an individual
obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the
State or political subdivision verify that the individual is
qualified under law to receive the license;
(iii) that is—
(I) not loaded; and
(II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is
on a motor vehicle;

California CCW would exempt a handgun from this law. Contrary to California law regarding transport of long guns, this Federal law requires long guns to be "in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle".

[BayAreaShooter]

Simply stated yes if you travel through a school zone your Long gun needs to be in a locked container.

[mjsweims]

Simply stated yes if you travel through a school zone your Long gun needs to be in a locked container.

If your vehicle is locked when you drive through, and your gun is unloaded, can your vehicle be considered a locked container?

[santacruzstefan]

I thought the federal GFSZ law was overturned as unconstitutional back in the early 90's, since Congress had overstepped the bounds of the commerce clause. Or was that something else?

[Campaly]

The Gun Free School Zones Act of 1990 was declared an unconstitutional exercise of Congressional authority under the Commerce Clause. Congress made minor changes and and re-enacted the law as the Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995.

[Munk]

If your vehicle is locked when you drive through, and your gun is unloaded, can your vehicle be considered a locked container?

only your trunk or other box that is non-glovebox, non-"utility compartment" (center console) will count as locked containers. And that is only if your trunk is truly locked... if it has a passthrough that isn't locked then your trunk is not technically a locked container.

GFSZ wants ALL guns in locked containers, even if it's not required by other laws.

[stockranger]

Don't speed and put your medical marijuana down while you drive thru the school zone and you'll be fine.

[seanbo]

If they catch you with out a locked container than they will put you in a locked container.

[stockranger]

(2) When the firearm is an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed on the person and is in a locked
container or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle.
This section does not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful
transportation of any other firearm, other than a pistol, revolver,
or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person, in
accordance with state law.

according to this it doesn't apply to long guns. Lets be realistic. Your on your way to go hunting with your 48" long beretta and bird shot in the trunk and you get pulled over. The cop is going to relize your probably a hunter and are not going to pull the back seat down to get the gun and do a drive by at the school.

Your on your way to the range with your AR and your glock while wearing your tacticool body armor are going to prison.

cops have stopped me with guns and they see my gundog and orange vest they never even ask to see the firearm or if it was in a locked case or anything like that. Neither does border patrol on the way back from the imperial valley.

[son_of_a_gunny]

In a hunter Safty Class a few weeks ago, I was told the locked container for long guns can be a soft case with the zipper closed and locked to the "D" ring.

Hand guns need to be in a locked hard case.

Can anyone confirm this ?

Thanks.

[rromeo]

(2) When the firearm is an unloaded pistol, revolver, or other
firearm capable of being concealed on the person and is in a locked
container or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle.
This section does not prohibit or limit the otherwise lawful
transportation of any other firearm, other than a pistol, revolver,
or other firearm capable of being concealed on the person, in
accordance with state law.

according to this it doesn't apply to long guns. Lets be realistic. Your on your way to go hunting with your 48" long beretta and bird shot in the trunk and you get pulled over. The cop is going to relize your probably a hunter and are not going to pull the back seat down to get the gun and do a drive by at the school.

Your on your way to the range with your AR and your glock while wearing your tacticool body armor are going to prison.

cops have stopped me with guns and they see my gundog and orange vest they never even ask to see the firearm or if it was in a locked case or anything like that. Neither does border patrol on the way back from the imperial valley.

That is state law.

Federal Law.

(I) not loaded; and
(II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is
on a motor vehicle;

[paul0660]

Hand guns need to be in a locked hard case.

Soft case is ok for handguns too. Did you learn any other wrong stuff in that class?

[IrishPirate]

In a hunter Safty Class a few weeks ago, I was told the locked container for long guns can be a soft case with the zipper closed and locked to the "D" ring.

Hand guns need to be in a locked hard case.

Can anyone confirm this ?

Thanks.

no difference between the regs on either. Locked case is a locked case. i transport pistols in a soft case on occasion, it's kevlar and much more resistant to someone breaking into it than my $10 plastic Plano...

OP, if you go through a GFSZ, lock it up.


Is the extra few seconds it takes to put guns in a locked container really so inconvenient that it's worth risking your gun rights? Lock 'em up, and donate to CGF and send them a letter that you're interested in getting the GFSZ law overturned or restructured.

[rromeo]

Looking over this, I have a concealed carry permit. Does that exempt me from locking up all guns, or just the handgun I'm carrying? Can I have my AR sitting on the back seat?
Everything goes in the trunk anyway, it's just something else I thought of.