Firearm transport question.

[acaligunner]

Is a soft pistol case (with a lockable padlock), considered legal to transfer a unloaded firearm in a vehicle.

I am going to visit a friend (4hr drive), and wanted to know if I lock up a unloaded pistol with a padlock (soft case has two D-rings), and put it on the passenger seat, will I be legal to drive and transport my pistol.

Do I have to unload all mags, or can they be kept loaded.

acaligunner.

[hkusp9c]

why not put it in the trunk?
The mags can be loaded as long as they're not in the mag well, but I usually keep them unloaded just in case I get pulled over and get hassled even though it's perfectly legal. I just don't want to waste my time educating someone who should already know this and risk getting arrested or detained for some BS reasons. That's just me.

[Lucky Scott]

Soft bag with a lock is okay and legal. However, you might not want to have it sitting right next to you. Trunk of the car, or in the back seat out of reach is way better.
I unload my mags just to be on the safe side. Dont know the laws about them, but it only takes a couple seconds to unload them.

[acaligunner]

I drive a truck, This was also why I stated on the passenger seat.

So a soft case with lock is ok. I was worried about having to buy another type of case.

acaligunner

[acaligunner]

why not put it in the trunk?
The mags can be loaded as long as they're not in the mag well, but I usually keep them unloaded just in case I get pulled over and get hassled even though it's perfectly legal. I just don't want to waste my time educating someone who should already know this and risk getting arrested or detained for some BS reasons. That's just me.

I have to deal with the LAPD, and I know they can get very nervous about firearms. Anyways as long as I'm legal I don't have to go out and buy a gunvault.

acaligunner

[JDay]

Just get a $10 hard case from Big5 and padlock it. Then just toss it behind/under your seat.

[Doheny]

Hard or soft case is ok; the law doesn't specify. You don't need to unload the mags.

I agree w/ Lucky...I would not have it on the seat next to me.

[acaligunner]

acaligunner

[tombinghamthegreat]

Yes it is legal to put a unloaded handgun with loaded mags right next to you in a locked container or in plain sight(assuming there are no school zones along the way). Long guns can be concealed/UOC/locked ect

[Strpd_Up_Brotha]

I think i saw some pics on here...but for the life of me i cant find them.

[Joe]

I think i saw some pics on here...but for the life of me i cant find them.

?? wrong thread?

[MAC USMC]

Suggestion: Invest in one of the hard case attache cases with the NUMBER DIAl next to the handle. Put your handgun inside and then put three of the four combination numbers ON with the fourth one just one digit off.

Or, put ALL FOUR numbers on the combo dial leaving it ready to OPEN. If stopped by an LEO, just spin the dial. You cannot be forced to open the case without a search warrant.

[paul0660]

PC 12031(e), in order to determine whether or not a firearm is loaded for the purpose of enforcing this section, peace officers are authorized to examine any firearm carried by anyone on his or her person or in a vehicle while in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated city or prohibited area of an unincorporated territory. Refusal to allow a peace officer to inspect a firearm pursuant to this section constitutes probable cause for arrest for violation of this section.

They don't need a warrant to inspect the gun for loading. Much better that the subject does not come up.

[JDay]

Suggestion: Invest in one of the hard case attache cases with the NUMBER DIAl next to the handle. Put your handgun inside and then put three of the four combination numbers ON with the fourth one just one digit off.

Or, put ALL FOUR numbers on the combo dial leaving it ready to OPEN. If stopped by an LEO, just spin the dial. You cannot be forced to open the case without a search warrant.

Yes you can, CA law allows officers to inspect any firearms that are in your vehicle. So if its obviously a firearm case you have to open it upon request.