Transporting guns without a car.

[jonkull]

Some of the threads that came up in my search were a few years old and I know it's been asked before but as a new gun owner I want to be crystal clear about this before I get myself in trouble...

I don't own a car. I only own a motorcycle. I've been trying to figure out if carrying a handgun in a locked case inside a backpack is legal. I would be going from my house directly to the range and back with no other stops.

I've read this: http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Transporting and it says in the notes below that "Vehicles without trunks - Since the trunk is not required, transport of a handgun, unloaded in a secure locked container, is allowed on bicycles and motorcycles, and in pickup trucks, vans and station wagons" but I don't see this written in the actual code. So is it actually legal to carry a handgun locked in a case in a backpack or is this just the interpretation of whoever contributed to the wiki? If the backpack is a no-go would attaching a seat bag to my bike be the equivalent of a trunk?

Also am I correct to assume that carrying my AR-15 (with the upper reciever separated from the lower...the only way it fits) in a gym bag strapped to my back with a lock on the zipper would also be legal (also directly to the range and back)?

[CDFingers]

I bet you could wear it openly if it had one of those big, red trigger locks.

CDFingers

[Beaker650]

I asked my instructor if it would be legal to carry my shotgun strapped to my back when riding my motorcycle and he said it would be perfectly legal. An Orange County Police Officer was there as well and he said it was perfectly legal. However.....people would be calling the police and you would most likely be pulled over. He recommended getting a tripod case for the shotgun - a case that doesn't look like there is a firearm in it.

[fallenknight308]

Guitar bag.
Edit: Oh its a handgun. Get lockable saddle bags. Or lock the pistol case inside a backpack.

[Chaos47]

You could lock the case or lock the bag.
Either way as long as there are no loaded magazines inserted in the magwell you are good to go.

Locked cases are not necessary for rifles. But I always lock them for extra 1 extra step for theft or from an unlawful search.
(To be clear RAW's must be locked)

[Librarian]

The issue for handguns is 'locked case'. For folks who have cars, a trunk works - but independent locked cases can be carried anyplace in a car.

PC is hardly ever specific enough to cover all cases.

Since 26510 covers motor vehicles, probably a case attached to the bike would be the most obvious way to be in compliance. Lacking 'in a motor vehicle', PC 25505 might be the pertinent part of the code - which does include the 'destination restrictions' following in the PC.

For example, PC 25540

Section 25400 does not apply to, or affect, the
transportation of a firearm by a person when going directly to, or
coming directly from, a target range, which holds a regulatory or
business license, for the purposes of practicing shooting at targets
with that firearm at that target range.

While the 'destination requirement' thing does not permit a 'trunk gun' the way 26510 would, it's not that horrible a limitation.

[jonkull]

Thanks for the comments. I'll stick with locked handgun case inside backpack with a lock on the zippers. I'll keep the rifle locked up as well. Better safe than sorry...

[760knox]

The Librarian for the win! Always good info!

[PEZHEAD265]

WHEW THOUGHT IT WAS MASTERN00B

[NYRangerfan2]

some good info here, as i like to ride the bike to the range sometimes also but was always on the look out.