California legal handguns for visitors?

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Malamute

Member
Joined
May 12, 2004
Messages
3,175
Location
Rocky Mts
I have an aquaintence that plans to travel to California, she was wondering what handgun was legal to take in as a visitor, and what is the legal carry method in a vehicle while travelling.

I tried a search, but there was a mountain of threads that came up, and none were apparently what I was looking for,......

Thanks for any info.
 
So basically, you can't even take a handgun into CA for self defense, since they don't honor anyone's CCW permits but their own? Open carry is probably illegal as well, and I don't think carrying the gun in a box is going to save you...
 
And I guess even FOPA does not apply since it's not a through journey.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000926---A000-.html

TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 926APrev | Next § 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms Notwithstanding any other provision of any law or any rule or regulation of a State or any political subdivision thereof, any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a vehicle without a compartment separate from the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container other than the glove compartment or console.
 
any hand gun is pretty much fine, leave mags greater then 10 rounders at home. As far as travel. it need to be in a locked case( zippered bag works) unloaded( no loaded mags as well) and the ammo in a seprate container. Don't store it in teh glove box or center console. the good news is when she gets where she is going( IE sleeping) she can load up and carry it as long as she does not leave the grounds. Thats rather its a hotel room, camp ground, some ones house etc.
 
IIRC,

You can travel through CA with your handgun whether it is on or off the DOJ "Approved List".

When Transporting in CA it must be unloaded in a locked case in the trunk and ammo preferably stored outside gun case. No more than 10 round mags.
 
You can travel through CA with your handgun whether it is on or off the DOJ "Approved List".

When Transporting in CA it must be unloaded in a locked case in the trunk and ammo preferably stored outside gun case. No more than 10 round mags.
Click to expand...
Mostly Right. Actually, the locked case can be anywhere - the trunk itself is acceptable as the locked case, but glove box and center console are no-nos.

Open carry, unloaded, is 'not illegal' - which means it isn't banned and it isn't explicitly called out as legal. Most places open carry will get local LEO exercising their Penal Code right to inspect the weapon to ascertain it is, in fact, unloaded. Sometimes you'll be felony prone while they look.

Since LEO responds that way, I don't think open carry is a practical solution for most people.

And to confirm, California does not honor non-LEO CCW from other states.
 
Further.

Guns may not be carried in the car for purposes other than going directly to and from the range, or to and from residences. In other words, you cannot be driving about with a "trunk gun". So, IOW, if you are stopped you need to be able to say, "Officer, I am going home from the range" or "I am going to the range" or "I am going home" or "I am going to my place of business."

You would NOT say, "Oh, I just like to drive around with a gun in my trunk. Makes me feel good." =)

Further, loaded magazines are OK. However, they must not be in the gun or attached to the gun in any way. ROUNDS STORED IN A BUTTCUFF OF THE GUN MAKES THE GUN "LOADED". LOADED MAGAZINES IN THE SAME CONTAINER AS THE GUN ALSO MAKES THE GUN LOADED.

So..... IE...

empty SIG P228 inside blue clamshell case in trunk, with loaded magazines lying right next to it in the trunk = OK

empty mosin nagant m91/30, with five rounds in the buttcuff = loaded gun

empty sig p228 inside blue clamshell case in trunk, with loaded magazines lying inside the case with it = loaded gun
 
Guns may not be carried in the car for purposes other than going directly to and from the range, or to and from residences. In other words, you cannot be driving about with a "trunk gun". So, IOW, if you are stopped you need to be able to say, "Officer, I am going home from the range" or "I am going to the range" or "I am going home" or "I am going to my place of business."

You would NOT say, "Oh, I just like to drive around with a gun in my trunk. Makes me feel good." =)
Click to expand...
I was long a supporter of this position. That's sure how the PC reads to me.

A poster over at Calguns this week got an email from CADOJ that seems to indicate they don't see it that way.

Coulda knocked me down with a feather.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top