Unloaded Long Gun in a vehicle...

[BlackReef]

Assuming your not within 1000 ft. of a School, is it legal to carry an unloaded long gun (rifle, shotgun) up front? What about on or underneath the rear seat?

If there were shells on a 6-Round Side Saddle, that would NOT be considered loaded since the ammo is not in a position where it can be fired, am I correct?

[Dark Water]

I have always transported my long guns unloaded in the back seat of my car. As long as there is no ammo within the reach of the driver you and the action is open you are ok. If your too worried about it store the guns in the trunk for transport.

[Decoligny]

I have always transported my long guns unloaded in the back seat of my car. As long as there is no ammo within the reach of the driver you and the action is open you are ok. If your too worried about it store the guns in the trunk for transport.

Exactly which part of the PC says no ammo within reach?

Look all you want, you won't find it anywhere.

This is another commonly spread misconception a.k.a. FUD.

In the case of People v. Clark (1996) a shotgun shell attached to the shotgun, although not chambered or placed in a position where it was able to be fired, was declared to be legal under California law and the charge of having a loaded firearm against Clark was dismissed.

The court held: "The term "loaded" has a commonly understood meaning: "to put a load or charge in (a device or piece of equipment) a gun" or "to put a load on or in a carrier, device, or container; esp: to insert the charge or cartridge into the chamber of a firearm." (Webster's New Collegiate Dict. (1976) p. 674.) Under the commonly understood meaning of the term "loaded," a firearm is"loaded" when a shell or cartridge has been placed into a position from which it can be fired; the shotgun is not "loaded" if the shell or cartridge is stored elsewhere and not yet placed in a firing position. The shells here were placed in a separate storage compartment of the shotgun and were not yet "loaded" as the term is commonly understood."

[IGOTDIRT4U]

However legal it may be on paper, always remember the bank account rule. Can you afford to successfully defend yoruself from any charges?

BTW, it is possible to be cited and arrested on a variety of other charges, such as inciting the public, etc.

[Boxer]

Here is a safer way.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=108158

[BlackReef]

I've come across the lockable mini-safe before. That is too small for my Shotgun.

So TECHNICALLY speaking, it is perfectly legal to keep my shotgun underneath the back seat with 6 sabot slugs on the side saddle...?

Actually, upon further review, would it still be legal to keep the rounds in the magazine tube as long as a round is 'not in the chamber'? What defines chamber in CA law?

[Matt C]

I've come across the lockable mini-safe before. That is too small for my Shotgun.

So TECHNICALLY speaking, it is perfectly legal to keep my shotgun underneath the back seat with 6 sabot slugs on the side saddle...?

Actually, upon further review, would it still be legal to keep the rounds in the magazine tube as long as a round is 'not in the chamber'? What defines chamber in CA law?

According to P. v Clark you cannot have them in position from which they can readily be fired. Butt stock would be ok, mag tube would be a no no.

[MudCamper]

Assuming your not within 1000 ft. of a School, is it legal to carry an unloaded long gun (rifle, shotgun) up front? What about on or underneath the rear seat?

If there were shells on a 6-Round Side Saddle, that would NOT be considered loaded since the ammo is not in a position where it can be fired, am I correct?

Everything which you have stated here is correct, and legal. Ignore the FUD.

[sorensen440]

Assuming your not within 1000 ft. of a School, is it legal to carry an unloaded long gun (rifle, shotgun) up front? What about on or underneath the rear seat?

If there were shells on a 6-Round Side Saddle, that would NOT be considered loaded since the ammo is not in a position where it can be fired, am I correct?

yes you can
and its perfectly legal
and I do

[Librarian]

So TECHNICALLY speaking, it is perfectly legal to keep my shotgun underneath the back seat with 6 sabot slugs on the side saddle...?

Yes.

Actually, upon further review, would it still be legal to keep the rounds in the magazine tube as long as a round is 'not in the chamber'? What defines chamber in CA law?

No - that's the Fish & Game version of "loaded", for hunting.

And "chamber" isn't the term, it's "when a shell or cartridge has been placed into a position from which it can be fired" (from People v Clark, as noted above).

[tombinghamthegreat]

Iqnore the FUD, leaving a unloaded shotgun with shells in the side saddle is legal where ever you want, you can conceal the shotgun, put it on a case, mount it to the top of your car, just be careful about the k-12 schools and any other restricted area. You can also conceal a unloaded shotgun on foot under your jacket, in a duffle bag, UOC it....you get the point. Also if you have a semi auto rifle you can have the mags loaded right next to the gun. I can't stand to hear the FUD that a loaded mag=load gun BS Isn't there a thread sticky regarding this matter? Anyway it is good this is asked every month, it is an effective reminder and a way to avoid falling victim to FUD. Any more questions ask.

[Librarian]

Isn't there a thread sticky regarding this matter?

Why yes, yes there is.