California Gun Transporting Laws

[PistolPete75]

Everytime I ask a police officer or sheriff, they always seem to get angry at me or tell me that I will go to jail...wtf..ya know?

So I'll ask my fellow calgunerrs this question? What are the specific laws of transporting handguns, and ammunition?

I don't want any mishaps with the police or sheriff especially where I live in the santa clarita valley.

tnx...much appreciated!

[-hanko]

Everytime I ask a police officer or sheriff, they always seem to get angry at me or tell me that I will go to jail...wtf..ya know?

So I'll ask my fellow calgunerrs this question? What are the specific laws of transporting handguns, and ammunition?

I don't want any mishaps with the police or sheriff especially where I live in the santa clarita valley.

Search this forum, your question's been asked once or twice in the last few years

Handguns need to be unloaded, in a locked container inside the car or in a locked car trunk. Magazines can be loaded, ammo stored separately from the gun. Magazines/ammo do not need to be in a locked container.

-hanko

[Biff...]

My understanding on transporting handguns and ammo

Gun has to be unloaded in the front of the vehicle
Mag has to be removed from weapon and must be empty of all ammo
ammo has to be in the back of the vehicle
gun has to have a lock(cable or otherwise)
gun must be in a container

thats as much as I remember,

[Matt C]

Not this again...

Handguns need to be unloaded, in a locked container inside the car or in a locked car trunk.

This only applies to CONSEALED handguns, open carry of unloaded handguns is not prohibited inside or outside your vehicle.

[PistolPete75]

tnx guys!

[EOD Guy]

My understanding on transporting handguns and ammo

Gun has to be unloaded in the front of the vehicle
Mag has to be removed from weapon and must be empty of all ammo
ammo has to be in the back of the vehicle
gun has to have a lock(cable or otherwise)
gun must be in a container

thats as much as I remember,

Gun has to be unloaded but can be in any part of the vehicle, not concealed.
Unloaded mag can be in firearm. Magazines can be loaded if not attached to the firearm.
Ammo can be in any part of the vehicle.
Handgun does not have to have a lock.
Handgun does not have to be in a container if not concealed. If the handgun is in a container, the container must be locked.

It is recommended, but not required, that a handgun be in a locked container (trunk is ok) so that someone cannot see the handgun if they look into your vehicle.

[hoffmang]

Someone needs to cite some code on open carry. I don't think you can.

The handgun needs to be unloaded in a locked container. A locked container can be an enclosed trunk.

Ammunition must not be in a magazine that is inserted in the handgun. Loaded magazines can be carried anywhere except in the locked container with the handgun unless you are a known gang member.

-Gene

[Matt C]

Someone needs to cite some code on open carry. I don't think you can.

The handgun needs to be unloaded in a locked container. A locked container can be an enclosed trunk.

Ammunition must not be in a magazine that is inserted in the handgun. Loaded magazines can be carried anywhere except in the locked container with the handgun unless you are a known gang member.

-Gene

I don't think I can prove a negative, there is nothing in the penal code that allows open cary (unloaded), but there is also nothing that prohibits it.

[hoffmang]

BW:

I stand corrected on the unloaded open carry. I am reminded that the unloaded open carry issue is why known gang members can't have loaded magazines around as they used this issue to allow one of them to carry an unloaded handgun and another to carry loaded mags.

-Gene

[Matt C]

BW:

I stand corrected on the unloaded open carry. I am reminded that the unloaded open carry issue is why known gang members can't have loaded magazines around as they used this issue to allow one of them to carry an unloaded handgun and another to carry loaded mags.

-Gene

Yes, you could open carry a handgun and loaded mags if you are not a gang member. I would not try it in an urban area though, that's asking for trouble and there are still things you could be charged with (brandishing, disturbing the peace, ect). Useful if you are in an urban area though, a recent "ccw at the river" thread comes to mind. Also, like Bill has suggested, carry an empty mag in the pistol, this ensures you cannot be charged with the loaded mags being part of the gun, that might even work for gang members (but don't tell em )

[Satex]

You should consider purchasing this booklet: www.homestead.com/gunlawpress/

[Matt C]

You should consider purchasing this booklet: www.homestead.com/gunlawpress/

That publication is great but it's not 100% accurate. It does error on the side of caution though.

[FreedomIsNotFree]

In CA the gun laws are specific about what you cant do and where you cant go..etc..etc..

Everything that falls outside of those restrictions is considered to be legal. Of course, this ambiguity creates doubt and uncertainty which leads to people not exercising their rights.

Here is the law...

12031. (a) (1) A person is guilty of carrying a loaded firearm when
he or she carries a loaded firearm on his or her person or in a
vehicle while in any public place or on any public street in an
incorporated city or in any public place or on any public street in a
prohibited area of unincorporated territory.


If you are not in these designated areas.....you can carry exposed AND loaded.

If you are in these designated areas you can carry exposed just not loaded.

That is the law...not saying you wouldn't start a "crap" storm with local LEO, but its legal...not sure what they could charge you with.

Who wants to be the test case?

I'll tell you who does....

These guys......

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum12/

Not sure if anyone here is aware of these trend setters.....enjoy!

[mike100]

don't forget to mention that you can't just have or store a handgun in your car..you need to be going to or from a legal shoot,event or range, gunshop/gunsmith, camping/hunting or to/from temporary residence etc.

always have a hunting lic and range membership card to cover your bases. Also this is why it is a good idea to always sign in at the range to prove that you had a good reason that day to have the handgun with you. (this doesn't apply to long-guns (but it does with reg. AW's).

[Matt C]

don't forget to mention that you can't just have or store a handgun in your car..you need to be going to or from a legal shoot,event or range, gunshop/gunsmith, camping/hunting or to/from temporary residence etc.

I don't know about you guys, but it's pretty rare that I am not going to or from a residence or temporary residence (place you are staying overnight), and it would be 100% IMPOSSIBLE to PROVE you were not going there. How could they prove you were not going home? They can't. Of course, some people like to open their mouths and offer up proof, but those people get what they ask for.

Anyone know where I could find LA county laws/code? Specifically, ordinance on "discharging a weapon".