Transportation of Ammo.

[jaytee]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section. I have been looking for the exact laws regarding transportation of ammo but I'm struggling to find it. I know hand guns need to be in a locked container, unloaded, a trunk being considered a locked container. Rifles don't need to be locked but do need to be unloaded.
So normally I carry my ammo in a metal ammo box, one of those surplus type things, but I recently purchased a Voodoo Tactical rifle bag - can I throw my ammo in the bag with the rifles? I just don't fancy being pulled over and getting into it with LE.

[Breadfan]

yes

[BigDogatPlay]

can I throw my ammo in the bag with the rifles?

So long as there is not a charged mag attached to the mag well of the rifle, good to go. There is case law, People v. Clark is direct on point, however there are still the occasional LEOs who haven't gotten the memo and might try to make a stink that ammo in the bag with the rifle = loaded. It does not.

Search People v. Clark on this site and you will have detailed answers. Many threads on point.

ETA: Chamber needs to be empty too. I know it's a given for safety, but looking at the post, not mentioning it leaves ambiguity.

[jaytee]

Piece of advice; don't ever tell ANYONE what you have in your trunk. You have a right to privacy and should maitain it with zeal. Never give authority to search your vehicle without a warrant, nor your house. It's terribly important you maintain these rights. As far as what is legal in transporting your guns, silence is golden. Unless you have something ILLEGAL in your trunk, you should have nothing to fear. Again, silence is golden.

Just out of interest say I did give LE the option to search my vehicle and all my guns were perfectly legal, how could they give me problems? I can't help but think if I say "no", it will cause me more problems in the long run - from the point of view that it then looks like I'm deliberately trying to hide something. Do you know what I mean?
Although I've heard the same advise many, many times... it's hard to gage what's the best thing to do as the laws in Cali are "weird" at times - to say the least.

[jtmkinsd]

It's all about how much you want to invest in an altercation after a stop. IF an LEO stopped me and asked to search my car/trunk, I would ask why. If he/she is a good officer they'll have no problem giving you a reason. If it's a reasonable request I have no problem opening up for him/her. Then you get the ones who really just don't get the whole "community relations" part of being a peace officer. In my experience the younger they are the more likely they are to have a "you're gonna do what I say and like it" attitude. In that hypothetical case I would politely decline and let it go from there. One thing you have to be very careful of though is the side of the road is NOT the time or place to get into any type of argument with LE. You should be respectful (even if he/she is not) and peaceful. Any possible problems should be followed up AFTER any incident through the proper procedures, such as filing a complaint with his/her department the next day.

[Malthusian]

Just out of interest say I did give LE the option to search my vehicle and all my guns were perfectly legal, how could they give me problems? I can't help but think if I say "no", it will cause me more problems in the long run - from the point of view that it then looks like I'm deliberately trying to hide something. Do you know what I mean?
Although I've heard the same advise many, many times... it's hard to gage what's the best thing to do as the laws in Cali are "weird" at times - to say the least.

Officer: Do you mind if I search your car?

You: I do not consent to a search of my car

Officer: Why? do you have something to hide?

You: Can we just deal with the reason you pulled me over

Consenting to a search is giving up your rights. These weird laws are because people "do" cave in. It is up to us to be the informed citizen
Without PC he can not search your car. He cannot detain you any longer
then it would normally take to deal with your citation.

You can hold your ground in a firm and polite manner. If he chooses to violate your rights, by all means follow his instructions and as posted above deal with it after the fact
through the proper disciplinary or civil action

[haodoken]

Gee I thought this was the "LEO Forum" where people could ask leos questions.

[Malthusian]

My post was based on an LEO demonstrating to me how to assert my rights without
taking it to a level that would elevate the situation

I take a defensive tactical training class. During one of the breaks he played the role of officer , which he is, and I was the citizen pulled over for the traffic stop. He was very intimidating and the conversation continued in a vicious circle. Well if you have nothing to hide, why don't you consent to a search of your car and back to me restating that I do not consent to a search of my car.

He also asked if I mined if he got a drug dog to sniff around the car. That is were he emphazized that he could only get a drug dog involved "if" there happened to be one near by that could assist while he was still issuing the citation.

If he were to call for a dog and hold me an addtional 1/2 hour waiting for the canine unit, it would be considered an unreasonable detention for the reason I was being detained

We also discussed issues like what to do if you are carrying a CCW with permit during a traffic stop

[sureshot47]

So just for ultimate clarification....If one were to have an unloaded handgun, in a locked container, along with loaded magazines inside the same locked container, inside the cab of a truck with loose rounds scattered all over the floor and seats.....no law would be violated?

[ARDude]

So just for ultimate clarification....If one were to have an unloaded handgun, in a locked container, along with loaded magazines inside the same locked container, inside the cab of a truck with loose rounds scattered all over the floor and seats.....no law would be violated?

Guilty of having a messy truck