hiking armed in SoCal

[CAnnoneer]

I've been thinking of hiking in the mountains of Southern California. However, from time to time unarmed hikers get attacked/hurt/eaten by mountain lions etc., so it would be nice to count on more than a knife in case of an encounter.

So, do any of you guys know what the laws are about hiking armed? AFAIK, there is no CCW in CA, but then again the restrictions are about being armed or discharging a firearm "in a public place". Are the mountains a "public place"? If I can't bring my pistol, what about a shotgun or rifle?

Many thanks!

 

[Joe45acp]

You can get a CCW in Calif. You just have to live in the right county. There is even a county up north that the sheriff there said he would issue a CCW to anyone who could pass a background check. Ive had mine for over 15 years and so does my wife and my father.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I don't know what the law is, but I always drop the 642 in my right front pocket. Nobody ever knows it's there, and the only time it'd become an 'issue' is if I had to use it.

 

[SIGarmed]

My guess is that depending on where you open carry certain people are able to freak out so you want to be mindfull of where you are and be carefull.

BLM hiking area's and national forests should be ok for open carry, but guns cannot be carried/possessed in state or national parks like Yosemite. As far as BLM land is concerned some counties may not allow it so you have to check with the specific county to be sure. Los Angeles county does not allow shooting or discharging of firearms on county land so they may not allow it.

If you are a licensed hunter or fisherman, enroute to or from hunting or a fishing expedition, you may carry a concealed weapon unless in an otherwise prohibited area. It is technically legal, but I'd still be carefull around certain area's.

When you set up a campsite in said national forests you should also be able to conceal carry in the camp proximity as it's considered a domecile.

You can check through the CA DOJ site if you want specifics:

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/

 

[El Rojo]

The problem with asking these questions is you never really know if you get a good answer or not. So here is my suggestion, check the penal code sections that deal with carry a concealed weapon. It should mention something about open carry as well. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html Check around PC 12030s or just do a search for concealed weapon.

Now for my two cents, I am pretty sure while camping in the national forest you can open carry. I see guys on mules while hiking and most of them are openly armed. Again, check the penal codes or who ever has jurisdiction over the area you want to hike, call the law enforcement agency and ask them. That actually would be your best bet because they would be the ones to arrest you.

 

[Database]

You're dealing with two laws: Concealed Gun and Loaded Gun.

Concealed Gun applies just about everywhere. The only time you could carry concealed while hiking would be at your established camp site. For any other concealed carry, you need a CCW.

The Loaded Gun law applies on public streets and places in any incorporated city and on public streets and prohibited public places in unincorporated areas. In most counties, most everywhere is prohibited unless designated as a shooting area. However, it will vary by county. You may have a loaded gun at your established camp site.

BTW, the loaded gun law applies to anything (handgun, rifle, shotgun). You might be able to carry a shotgun with shells attached to the butt stock. But a rifle or handgun magazine cannot be loaded and carried seperately; this is considered loaded. Mag carried in a pocket would be considered concealed.

The previous advice to call the ranger station for the area you're hiking in is the way to go. You can pretty much expect state parks to specifically prohibit firearms.