Firearm Transportation Question

[heldebrant]

I apologize ahead of time for a n00b question or if this is in the wrong section.......

Sorry for bringing up what may be a beaten topic or maybe what is a 'stupid' question but I just saw an old thread on OLL transportation I was wondering if someone could comment on the vehicle I transport firearms in. Transportation is only going to the range/boonies/gun shop and back. I own a lifted crew cab truck and carry the firearms (locked in cases) in the back seat/area. The truck is lifted with dark tinted back windows so the contents are not easily seen.

What would be my best way to answer the inquisitive LEOs questions with a vehicle like this if I were to get pulled over? If one were tall enough they could use their flashlight to easily see whats in back. I certainly would not want to start the conversation off with them by trying to get around answering whether or not I had any weapons/firearms in the car but I would also not want to give them any reasons to get into my business without having a cause.

I don't think it would be very 'safe' to transport these things in the bed as they could be grabbed by someone with enough determination say if I was pumping gas or something or maybe they could bounce out, potentially? I feel like I'm stuck in an awkward position as I have them in arm's reach but I am also trying to carry them lawfully, locked, etc.

[ptroxx]

I have one of these on all my cases and bags

http://calguns-advertising.net/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=39&osCsid=9u5dtra40kh4nuj30pgqgjpfg1

[dwtt]

Transportation is only going to the range/boonies/gun shop and back. I own a lifted crew cab truck and carry the firearms (locked in cases) in the back seat/area. The truck is lifted with dark tinted back windows so the contents are not easily seen.

What would be my best way to answer the inquisitive LEOs questions with a vehicle like this if I were to get pulled over? I

There's no need to worry. Your guns are locked in the case and it's perfectly legal. Not a problem, so don't create one if a cop pulls you over by lying or making up stuff. With a truck like yours, I would think the cop would be pulling you over more for equipment violations than for guns.

[nosbusa]

i have a truck too. no issues at all. the handguns need to be locked, but the rifles do not. and keep everything in the back seat floor. you will be fine and perfectly legal.

[Divernhunter]

Or on the back seat or on the front seat passagers side. Just do not put them(pistols) in the glove box or closed center counsel. You have to lock pistol cases(hard or soft) but not rifle except in school zone.

[Librarian]

'Arms reach' has no significance in CA law, so long as the guns are lawfully possessed and transported.

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/Transporting

[baggss]

The relevant code is PC 25610:

25610. (a) A citizen of the United States over the age of 18 years
who resides or is temporarily within this state, and who is
not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing,
receiving, owning, or purchasing a firearm, from transporting
or carrying any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of
being concealed upon the person, provided that the following
applies to the firearm:
(1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked
in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle.
(2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from
any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying
the firearm, the firearm is contained within a locked
container.
(b) The provisions of this section do not prohibit or limit
the otherwise lawful carrying or transportation of any pistol,
revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the
person in accordance with the provisions listed in Section
16580.

As used in Sections 17740, 23925, 25105, 25205, and 25610,
and in Article 3 (commencing with Section 25505) of Chapter 2
of Division 5 of Title 4, "locked container" means
a secure container
that is fully enclosed and
locked by a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or similar
locking device.

The term "locked container" does not include the utility or
glove compartment of a motor vehicle.

[heldebrant]

Thank you very much for the info everyone....makes me feel much better. I guess if I get asked I just let them know and hopefully this doesn't open the door for an 'unreasonable' search or something.

I guess if asked to see them I just need to open the cases and let the LEO see whatever they want to see and it ends there? Or would they have PC to do further inspection of the vehicle?

One thing I forgot to ask is I also carry a dry storage box of about 1k rounds. Should this be locked...I'm thinking yes or does it matter?

[Divernhunter]

Ammo does not need to be locked.

You should not be asked to show the firearms to any LE. It is none of their business unles you are carrying drugs etc.

[RickD427]

Sir,

Please check out Penal Code section 25850. It provides LEO's with the authority to inspect firearms, in areas where shooting is prohibited, to determine if they are loaded. Case law provides LEO's with the authority to search vehicles for such firearms based on the existence of PC. With all due respect to Divernhunter's posting above, this puts LEO's in the business of checking such weapons. He is correct in that ammunition does not need to be locked. Unless you're in the vicinity of certain state properties, or involved in "armed criminal action", there is no requirement for the ammunition to be stored separately so long as the weapon itself is not loaded.

You'll find varying practices on the conduct of such searches. If I person told me they had weapons in their vehicle, and I had no other reason to suspect criminal conduct, I'd usually just separate the person from the weapon and conclude the business of the stop. I wanted to reward the candor, promote a similar response on the next stop, and I wouldn't expect, in the absence of any other indication, that significant criminal activity was going on.

If the officer does elect to conduct a search, they're not going to allow you near the weapons, they'll do the case opening and closing. That's just basic officer safety practice.