Question on current transportation law

[Justintoxicated]

Is a safe inside of a utility compartment now considered to be ok? Or is it only ok in certain contexts?

If you put a safe inside the utility compartment is it ok to transport a loaded CCW weapon in there if you have a permit? What about other non-CCW listed guns if they are unloaded?

Or is it only ok to use the safe in a utiltiy compartment when the vehicle is unattended?

Or are locked containers in a utility compartment still illegal?

If it is only ok when the vehcile is unattended and not ok for transport, then do you commit a crime every time you put your gun into the locked container before you exit the car?

I'm looking at buying a safe that installs into the utility compartment, because I don't have room under the seats for a cable locked safe, it would have to go in the trunk, which brings up other issues when having to store your pistol before going into a federal building.

Sorry to the tile typo, I'm typing with a broken finger lol.

[Librarian]

Locked containers in a so-called 'utility compartment' have always been, and are, legal. It is using the 'utility compartment' alone that specifically does not qualify as a PC 16850 'locked container'.

16850.

As used in this part, “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.

[9Cal_OC]

Are you Justintoxicated

When was it ever illegal to have a locked container in a utilities compartment?

I have a console vault installed in my vehicle. No issues.

You’ll hear some FUD here that that’s a no-go.

What Librarian said above is correct.

[Justintoxicated]

Locked containers in a so-called 'utility compartment' have always been, and are, legal. It is using the 'utility compartment' alone that specifically does not qualify as a PC 16850 'locked container'.

Thanks man, that makes sense. So then I guess it can be used to transport any handgun, as long as it is unloaded, or loaded if it is on your CCW permit.

[Justintoxicated]

Are you Justintoxicated

When was it ever illegal to have a locked container in a utilities compartment?

I have a console vault installed in my vehicle. No issues.

You?ll hear some FUD here that that?s a no-go.

What Librarian said above is correct.

I kinda reget picking this username for a gun forum lol. It's great for the homebrew forums though.

[Justintoxicated]

Locked containers in a so-called 'utility compartment' have always been, and are, legal. It is using the 'utility compartment' alone that specifically does not qualify as a PC 16850 'locked container'.

I guess this vault does not qualify then?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23rb5F_nnZk&t=1s

It looks like the bottom of the vault is cut out and not enclosed. It uses the center console's bottom to make it into a container.

It's the only thing I have found so far that will work for my Model 3. The seats don't have any space under them, so the only other option would be to unholster and place into a container in the trunk. I really do not like this option as it can attract attention.

Or maybe I just get a safe and leave it tied to the seat on the floor, but throw something over it so it's not in plain view?

[Justintoxicated]

Are you Justintoxicated

When was it ever illegal to have a locked container in a utilities compartment?

I have a console vault installed in my vehicle. No issues.

You’ll hear some FUD here that that’s a no-go.

What Librarian said above is correct.

Is your console vault like the one I am looking at? If it is, then it is not a fully enclosed container. It's just a device that adds security to the utility compartment, which does not seem like it meets CA law for transport or to lock up a loaded firearm when your away from your car.

I think my question is less about transportation and mroe about storage.

I'm looking for a safe that's primary purpose would be to hold a CCW in the event that someone cannot bring it into a building. But it would be nice if it could also be used for transporting firearms.

My car does not have room under the seats, so this makes finding a suitable container much more difficult as it needs to be out of sight. That is why I was looking at the console vault linked above. This appears to be the MOST secure option available to me, but I don't think it is legal since it uses the utility compartments base as it's base by bolting into your center consolse.

Perhaps, some sheet metal could be riveted to it to make it fully enclosed but I'm not a sheet metal worker.

I think think the intent of the law is to not just toss a gun in your glovebox / center console as most glove box and utility comparments can be opened fairly easily whether locked or not. However the way the law is written I think it negates the most secure option for me which is turning the utility compartment into a safe.

So what is my best option? Sounds like CA would rather I lock a box to the seat with a cuttable cable and leave it on the floor with a towel over it than to secure my firearm in the safest fashion available.

I guess the other option is to remove the firearm and toss it into the trunk, which on my car is especially vulnerable to smash and grabs. (there is a whole gang in SF that is smashing the small rear window, folding down the seats and stealing stuff out of the trunk. So much so that there was a shortage or replacment glass.

[9Cal_OC]

Mine is fully enclosed and doesn’t use the vehicles internal design to enclose it.
How’s the space between the seats? Maybe puttlng the lockbox there and covering it? As long as it remains attached to the vehicle via cable or under the dash.

Not too sure on the internal compartment of a Model 3 so you might need to get creative.

Edit: looking at the design of the Model 3 center console, it’s open since there’s not bolts or screws that would affix the vault.

[Justintoxicated]

Mine is fully enclosed and doesn?t use the vehicles internal design to enclose it.
How?s the space between the seats? Maybe puttlng the lockbox there and covering it? As long as it remains attached to the vehicle via cable or under the dash.

Not too sure on the internal compartment of a Model 3 so you might need to get creative.

Edit: looking at the design of the Model 3 center console, it?s open since there?s not bolts or screws that would affix the vault.

The console vault is affixed by 3 self- screws into the front compartment (there are 2 compartments). But it is open bottom, so the bottom of the utility compartment becomes the bottom of the safe. And yea I'm willing to drill into my car have the most secure method.

Great design as the console bottom would be extreamly difficult to remove, except maybe not so great for California compliance. Ya there isn't really room anywhere per CA law so I guess I need to store it in a less secure fashion in order to be in complaince. I'm thinking a safe in the trunk with a cable will work, jut gotta keep the gun hidden while putting it into the safe, maybe a hankerchief or something.

It's a terrible idea really, to have to go put a CCW in the trunk of a tesla model 3 since it's well known that the trunk is easily accessed by folding breaking the small window in back to fold down the seats. But I guess that is what California wants.

I wonder if I would be better off properly securing the gun with the console vault and just accepting charges if filed against me. I mean it would probably protect from smash and grabs much better, so there would likely never be any reason to get reported, where as doing what california wants gives criminals MUCH easier accesses to the firearm.

[broadside]

If you are worried about it, buy the console vault and weld a bottom to it, repaint as needed and then install it

[Justintoxicated]

If you are worried about it, buy the console vault and weld a bottom to it, repaint as needed and then install it

I was just wondering what it would cost to have this done, or maybe just rivot some sheet metal to it. It's just for complaince so it wouldn't matter much. Maybe glue a polycarbonate window over the opening for the console light?