A lot of misinformation. Armed Bear seems fairly on top of the correct info.
The information people often confuse and then pass on confusing it with lawful transport is there is a section in the penal code that says
a loaded firearm as it pertains to having a firearm during the commision of a felony is that the firearm is deemed loaded if both the firearm and the unexpended ammunition are in the immediate control of the same person.
However when not engaged in illegal activity the definition of a loaded firearm itself is an unexpended shell in the chamber or in a magazine/cylinder in the firearm.
Or in more detail:
(g) A firearm shall be deemed to be loaded for the purposes of this section when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell, consisting of a case that holds a charge of powder and a bullet or shot, in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including, but not limited to, in the firing chamber, magazine, or clip thereof attached to the firearm; except that a muzzle-loader firearm shall be deemed to be loaded when it is capped or primed and has a powder charge and ball or shot in the barrel or cylinder.
Case law shows the "attached to" portion of the law does not apply to shell holders like a side saddle with rounds in it.
So having a firearm on the passenger seat of the car with a loaded magazine next to it if both remain unconcealed (and you probably should not let them touch eachother) is technicaly legal but not advised.
However illegaly concealing it is a seperate offense. So technicaly unloaded open carry with ammunition ready to be loaded into the firearm can in fact be legal in some circumstances (however there is other laws that make it illegal in various locations or while doing different activities.)
However if charged with another crime, then that is considered carrying a loaded firearm even if not loaded.
If the firearm is at any time concealed and not in a locked container you run into legal issues with pc12025 though, which is one of those laws that outlaws practicly everything, and then makes many exceptions where it does not apply.
Also if you go within 1000 feet of a school, many of which are not posted, or are small private schools that do not look like traditional schools with a playground you can be in trouble. If officers learn you carry that way, and they will if you do it often, it is not a stretch to imagine they will simply wait until you drive within 1000 feet of a school and arrest you. It is near impossible to drive through a city and not go within 1000 feet of a school, especialy if you go through a residential area.
There is even further definitions of loaded in other sections of CA law, like the Fish and Game section which only considers a long arm loaded as it pertains to in a vehicle if there is a round in the chamber, but does not include the magazine etc. Of course
since that is less than the definition of the penal code it is usualy not that important to mention, but it applies in CA anyways:
2006. It is unlawful to possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in any
vehicle or conveyance or its attachments which is standing on or
along or is being driven on or along any public highway or other way
open to the public.
A rifle or shotgun shall be deemed to be loaded for the purposes
of this section when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in the
firing chamber but not when the only cartridges or shells are in the
magazine.
So if in legal possession at say your camp sight, which under the penal code is legal, then it could still be illegal to have such a loaded long arm in or even on top of the vehicle. So technicaly even in an RV or a truck camper etc camping in a legal camp spot it would be illegal to have a long arm with a round in the chamber inside while on or beside a public road or "other way" even though the penal code says it is legal.
So even if you think you know the penal code, there is actualy other sections of law that apply to firearms at all times even when you might not think so. The fish and game law above for example applies to all public roads at all times, not just while having something to do with "fish" or "game".
There is even laws that have to do with what type of light is legal to have while armed with a firearm in some circumstances. It can be illegal for example to have a flashlight that is powered by more than 3 volts if you are armed in an area with game (could even be alongside the road in a rural area). Going off to the bathroom while camping with a gun and a flashlight with more than 2 standard batteries for example could therefore be a criminal offense.
My point is that you better do an awful awful lot of research if you want to carry using "loopholes" in the law to the annoyance of local LEO or you will cross a law you do not even know exists and be held accountable.
