I'm sorry, but can someone quickly explain the gun safe laws?

[mikepiet]

I am a fairly new gun owner here in CA and have heard\read differing thoughts on home gun safes.

I own a single centerfire rifle (not featureless) and keep it in my home where my wife and I live. I do not have any kids atm.

I primarily purchased the rifle for home protection, SHTF scenarios and punching paper. Am I required by law to keep the rifle in a safe? I have been told yes and have read here no.

The rifle is for home protection and I find that a safe would severely hamper my ability to get to my rifle quickly in the event of an intruder, home invasion etc.

I suppose a nice safe with push button combo lock would work but until I pick something up, am I violating law?

Thanks in advanced CG crew. I've learned tremendously since being here.

MP

[taperxz]

You are not breaking any laws, however it is good to have a safe in case of a break in and someone steals it.

[PhantomII]

Statewide, no. There is no requirement to keep your guns locked in a safe or even use a trigger lock.
Some communities may have such requirements and I'm sure others will pop in and start a list.

However, you can be held criminally liable if a child gets access to your firearm and injures/kills somebody and it was not locked up securely.

[mdimeo]

However, you can be held criminally liable if a child gets access to your firearm and injures/kills somebody and it was not locked up securely.

... but only if it was a kid who was allowed to be there. If some random teenager breaks in and steals your rifle, this doesn't apply.

I think.

[bruss01]

However, you can be held criminally liable if a child gets access to your firearm and injures/kills somebody and it was not locked up securely.

This.

You must take into account your own children.

You must take into account children of people visiting your home.

It's not necessary to take into account teens ("children") who break in through your locked door... however I wonder if you accidentally left a back window unlocked if there might be some liability...

No law says you have to keep your guns in a safe. I do believe you have to HAVE a safe, or a lock for the gun, as a condition of purchase. May not apply to PPT's though... Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[PhantomII]

I do believe you have to HAVE a safe, or a lock for the gun, as a condition of purchase. May not apply to PPT's though... Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

You are required to purchase a lock or sign an affidavit stating that you own a gun safe at the time you pick up a firearm from an FFL, but you are not required to keep the lock or the safe after the purchase is completed.

[CHS]

You are required to purchase a lock or sign an affidavit stating that you own a gun safe at the time you pick up a firearm from an FFL, but you are not required to keep the lock or the safe after the purchase is completed.

Nor are you EVER required by law to use them for the purposes of storage.

If that was the case, how could anyone keep a loaded gun in their bedside table for self-defense against intruders?

[five.five-six]

However, you can be held criminally liable if a child gets access to your firearm and injures/kills somebody and it was not locked up securely.

it was not reasonably inaccessible to children

[GrizzlyGuy]

it was not reasonably inaccessible to children

Yup, and FYI 12035 lets you off the hook if the gun was kept in a locked container, and that's probably where people erroneously get the idea that you must have a safe. 12035 also lets you off the hook if the child broke in, the child fired in self-defense, etc.:

(c) Subdivision (b) shall not apply whenever any of the following
occurs:
(1) The child obtains the firearm as a result of an illegal entry
to any premises by any person.
(2) The firearm is kept in a locked container or in a location
that a reasonable person would believe to be secure.
{...}

ETA: For gun lock/safe requirements related to purchasing a gun, see Librarian's excellent info here.

[five.five-six]

here is the part that stands out to me

is likely to gain access to the firearm without the permission of the child’s parent or legal guardian

[mikepiet]

A BIG thank you to everyone who posted. We have no kids and I like to believe the neighborhood is safe.

Never the less, I think I'll pick up a safe for when we go on vacation or something.

Thanks again,
PM