Would this constitute being "attached" to the vehicle?

[TechD]

because the container is attached to the vehicle, it could be construed as a "utility compartment", which is illegal to use to transport a handgun in California.

Would this constitute being "attached" to the vehicle?
(The bed is securely fastened to the floor of the van).

I designed this in the hope it would reduce the chances of being stollen from the vehicle, comply with the locked case law, and eliminate the possibility that the ammo could slide around in the cargo area of my van, and wind up within reach of the driver's seat.

I also thought it was just a cool idea.

V V V (Pic) V V V

[XDJYo]

It has nothing to do with being within reach of the driver's seat. It has everything to do with being in a locked container. If you put a lock on that ammo can, it could be in the passenger seat.

[Quiet]

because the container is attached to the vehicle, it could be construed as a "utility compartment", which is illegal to use to transport a handgun in California.

...
I designed this in the hope it would reduce the chances of being stollen from the vehicle, comply with the locked case law, and eliminate the possibility that the ammo could slide around in the cargo area of my van, and wind up within reach of the driver's seat.

Where did you get that quote?

CA laws concerning handguns in vehicles have changed, effective 01-01-2018.

A locked container that is affixed to a vehicle's interior and concealed from plain view, is CA legal.


Penal Code 25140
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), a person shall, when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle, lock the handgun in the vehicle’s trunk, lock the handgun in a locked container and place the container out of plain view, or lock the handgun in a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle’s interior and not in plain view.
(b) A peace officer, when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle not equipped with a trunk, may, if unable to otherwise comply with subdivision (a), lock the handgun out of plain view within the center utility console of that motor vehicle with a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or other similar locking device.
(c) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(d)(1) As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(A) “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.
(B) “Peace officer” means a sworn officer described in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2, or a sworn federal law enforcement officer, who is authorized to carry a firearm in the course and scope of that officer’s duties, while that officer is on duty or off duty.
(C) “Trunk” means the fully enclosed and locked main storage or luggage compartment of a vehicle that is not accessible from the passenger compartment. A trunk does not include the rear of a hatchback, station wagon, or sport utility vehicle, any compartment which has a window, or a toolbox or utility box attached to the bed of a pickup truck.
(D) “Vehicle” has the same meaning as specified in Section 670 of the Vehicle Code.
(2) For purposes of this section, a vehicle is unattended when a person who is lawfully carrying or transporting a handgun in a vehicle is not within close enough proximity to the vehicle to reasonably prevent unauthorized access to the vehicle or its contents.
(3) For purposes of this section, plain view includes any area of the vehicle that is visible by peering through the windows of the vehicle, including windows that are tinted, with or without illumination.
(e) This section does not apply to a peace officer during circumstances requiring immediate aid or action that are within the course of his or her official duties.
(f) This section does not supersede any local ordinance that regulates the storage of handguns in unattended vehicles if the ordinance was in effect before September 26, 2016.

[broadside]

Where did you get that quote?

CA laws concerning handguns in vehicles have changed, effective 01-01-2018.

A locked container that is affixed to a vehicle's interior and concealed from plain view, is CA legal.


Penal Code 25140
(A) “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.

He is worried about that part. There is no definition of utility compartment (that I have seen)

In fact, I often have similar concerns about the Console Vault product. But my argument is that it is a locked container secured to the vehicle independent of the center console, just meeting the "out of plain sight" clause via the center console.

[Quiet]

He is worried about that part. There is no definition of utility compartment (that I have seen)

In fact, I often have similar concerns about the Console Vault product. But my argument is that it is a locked container secured to the vehicle independent of the center console, just meeting the "out of plain sight" clause via the center console.

A locked container inside a utilize compartment would be CA legal.

[P5Ret]

I have never seen a legal opinion that makes a lock box or anything else after market attached to a vehicle become a "utility compartment".

[Driftwood]

What is a utility compartment? F350 has a locking glove box and three other locking boxes that it cam with form the factory.

[TruOil]

My understanding is that "utility container" is generally understood as the compartment between the front passenger seats that have become "de rigueur" in modern vehicles.

[Librarian]

My understanding is that "utility container" is generally understood as the compartment between the front passenger seats that have become "de rigueur" in modern vehicles.

There's no legal definition nor any appeals court proceeding to offer any guidance. That is, nobody knows for sure what

Penal Code 25140
(A) “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.

'utility or glove compartment' means.