AR Transportation Question....

[sonofeugene]

Just checking as I've not taken my AR15 to the range since the first of the year. I am not near schools, I plan on shooting at Field Sports Park in San Jose, and my question is, does the rifle need to be in a locked case while in my SUV?

It's completely featureless.

I'll also have a .308 bolt action.

Thanks!

[el tardo]

[Califpatriot]

So long as they are unloaded, you are largely fine. Long guns aren't covered by the rules requiring firearms to be in a locked container or a trunk.

Although you said that you are not near schools, it's easy to unintentionally come within 1000 feet of a school.

626.9 (state GFSZ act) exempts otherwise lawful transportation of firearms within school zones in subsection (c)(2).

Federal GFSZ does not have a transportation exemption, but it requires the feds to prove that you knew it was a school zone, or that you reasonably should have known it was a school zone. Leaving aside there aren't ATF agents patrolling school zones looking for dudes going to the range on a Sunday morning, it would be a very high standard for the government to prove. I doubt a law-abiding citizen en route to a lawful activity like hunting or target shooting has ever been charged with a federal GFSZ violation in the 20+ years the law has been around.

As always, stay off any university campuses. Possessing a firearm on a university campus, even if you are just passing through, is a felony under 626.9.

[Califpatriot]

A school zone is a 1000 foot radius of the school.

[God Bless America]

Why would you not have it in a locked case?

Unless you ridin' dirty and need it ready, put it in a case out of sight. Minimal extra effort to fix a lock to it.

[Mute]

Featureless and "fixed" magazine ARs are treated no different than any other rifles.

[sonofeugene]

Why would you not have it in a locked case?

Unless you ridin' dirty and need it ready, put it in a case out of sight. Minimal extra effort to fix a lock to it.

I generally would but the case I'm using is the original one from Daniel Defense and it's a bit flimsy and even if I locked it at both ends (ignoring the two places in the middle on either side of the handle), one could still easily open it enough to pull out the rifle. (I plan on getting a better case.)

But if I'm reading everyone's comments correctly (and thanks to all!), since it's featureless, it's just an ordinary rifle. I think I'll stick a lock on one corner anyway.

I'll be transporting them in my wife's Murano and they'll be covered and in the back. I have a couple friends who I'll be shooting with, one of which finally got his 7mm hunting rifle back from a friend and he's put some new optics on it and wants to get it sighted in. He plans on going on a pig hunt later this year.

Thanks all again!