Is my soft sided rifle case locked from a LEO perspective?

[Ericb760]

I ask in this forum because, ultimately, it would be a LEO interpreting the law if I was stopped. I have a Bulldog soft-sided case for my AR. Pretty sure we all know what that is. When zipped shut, the zipper handle, which has a hole in it, butts up against a small key-chain ring that is used, I presume, for hanging the case in the store on display. Both holes are large enough that I can fit a small padlock through both of them, locking them together and essentially preventing the case from being unzipped. Question: Does this pass the sniff test as being "locked" in regard to transporting a rifle?

[<IXOYE><]

Doesnt have to be locked UNLESS you are within 1000' of a school. Its not a concealable weapon.

[Gnome]

Sure. Why not..

[DFence]

Long guns do not need to be in a locked case for transport unless you are within a GFSZ or the long gun is a RAW.

But to answer your question, yes that is considered a locked case.

[Ericb760]

Doesnt have to be locked UNLESS you are within 1000' of a school. Its not a concealable weapon.

I'd rather be safe than sorry....

[Ericb760]

Doesnt have to be locked UNLESS you are within 1000' of a school. Its not a concealable weapon.

That's the thing. While driving from my house to the range, I pass half a dozen schools. If I'm pulled over in front of one I risk violating that law.

[Librarian]

That's the thing. While driving from my house to the range, I pass half a dozen schools. If I'm pulled over in front of one I risk violating that law.

Locked case is simpler, but locked in the trunk also satisfies Federal GFSZ; California GFSZ doesn't care about (non-RAW) long guns until you get to bringing them onto school property.

[Shasta Frog]

Locked case is simpler, but locked in the trunk also satisfies Federal GFSZ; California GFSZ doesn't care about (non-RAW) long guns until you get to bringing them onto school property.

So are you saying that you can drive by a school with a long gun unlocked or is the street also a GFSZ?

[Ericb760]

Locked case is simpler, but locked in the trunk also satisfies Federal GFSZ; California GFSZ doesn't care about (non-RAW) long guns until you get to bringing them onto school property.

They are ALWAYS locked in the trunk. And I'm really just trying to play Devil's Advocate. If they are locked in the trunk in front of a school and I'm pulled over and LE opens the trunk, they are no longer "locked", and they are then within 1,000 feet of a school. Eric then goes to jail. Eric's attorney gets the charge dismissed. Eric pays attorney with left testicle. Am I avoiding this by locking my soft-sided rifle case that is stored in the trunk?

[CSACANNONEER]

They are ALWAYS locked in the trunk.

Then the trunk is the locked case. Your Bulldog case (whatever that is????) doesn't have to be locked. Hell, your rifles don't even need to be in a case at all if they are in your locked trunk.

[CSACANNONEER]

So are you saying that you can drive by a school with a long gun unlocked or is the street also a GFSZ?

While CA might not care, federal law still dictates that they be locked in a case. To answer your question, every street, building, lot, park, store, gas station, etc. within 1000 yards of almost any school property is withing the GFSZ.

[Librarian]

While CA might not care, federal law still dictates that they be locked in a case. To answer your question, every street, building, lot, park, store, gas station, etc. within 1000 yards of almost any school property is withing the GFSZ.

Feet! The GFSZ is 1000 feet. Last session, or the one before, there was a bill that wanted to increase that to 1500 feet, but that bill failed.

[CBR_rider]

Yes, it's locked. No, an officer cannot open your trunk and call your gun "unlocked." And all this "never say anything to the cops" is always amusing. A few weeks back some guys on my shift stopped an average joe who admitted he had his ar15 in the car. You know what happened? Nothing.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm goon to go home to Old Faithful

[CSACANNONEER]

Feet! The GFSZ is 1000 feet. Last session, or the one before, there was a bill that wanted to increase that to 1500 feet, but that bill failed.

I stand corrected.