Vacation in California, what do I need to know

[ArmedBear]

Residents can barely legally own guns and go shooting under CA's Draconian laws.

Yeah, that's it.

I'll have to bring that up at the next range board meeting. Or maybe tell my wife who asks how many guns I have, and I have to answer honestly: I don't know. I'd have to count them.

Funny, lots of people fled California in 1992. It was because there was a local recession and they were unemployed, not unarmed. The surf was uncrowded for a short while. Good times for those of us who surf and had a job. My guess is that most of the "sour grapes" posts come from people who had to leave, not who left so they could buy a Streetsweeper (one of the only guns that was actually banned as of 1992).

Now I may well move somewhere else, too, for various reasons of which guns are at least a fitting symbol. But if someone left in 1992, it wasn't because of some gun ban, and the current CCW trend in other states was nonexistent in 1992.

 

[Tacticaldude]

for cwl ONLY:
If you'll read again his(neededausername) thread he's asking if it's worth bringing a weapon in CA. My advice is NOT WORTH IT. Sorry to say CA got some weird weapon laws. And that's the FACT.

neededausername:
Have fun and Enjoy the vacation!

 

[ArmedBear]

And you have no clue what you're talking about, Tacticaldude, like most people here who post frivolous answers to questions about California gun laws. Why can't people at least try to help those who post honest questions?

Seriously, why not start a thread like "Hey people! Let's vent about stuff we know nothing about, and pat each other on the back!"

He asked about bringing a .22 to do some target shooting. It's really NO PROBLEM if he knows what I posted in the first answer to his question.

If it's really so hard to do what he wants to do, then why don't I find it hard? How do you explain all the ammo I burn through?

Two things are an issue in California: "assault weapons" technicalities that are a PITA to wade through and not worth it for a visitor, and CCW.

1. Don't bring an AR. I've got them but I know what I'm doing legally and figuring it all out is not worth the time unless you live here.

2. Don't hope to carry concealed. Notgonnahappen.

Recreational target shooting, though, is common, and it's not a problem. It's also legal to have a gun for protection in your hotel room, among other places. Just read a little if you have questions, and don't carry a loaded gun around in a populated area -- that's going to be illegal.

 

[Tacticaldude]

neededausername:
Have fun and Enjoy your vacation with your wife

 

[Squidward]

Bringing the .22 to CA is probably more of a pain than its worth. And I mean this only with respect to the airline portion of your question. If there is a range near where you intend to visit check to see if they have rental guns. If so, rentals are way easier for a short vacation stay.

Or try CALGUNS; a forum for shooters in CA who may be willing to take you to a range or, at least, steer you in a good direction..

 

[SaxonPig]

ArmedBear- I know it's possible to own guns in CA. It's possible to own a large number of guns in CA.

As long as the state has approved them. And you have paid the registration fees. And you store them according to state regulations. Etc. Etc. Etc.

You seem to want to defend living in CA. I'm not knocking it. I lived there from 1957 to 1992 when I finally had enough of the Liberal bent and anti-gun laws and left.

And by the way, I wasn't unemployed. I quit my job of 14 years, sold my house, and moved. It was a deliberate decision and not forced by economic trends.

I have nothing against CA gunowners. I don't blame them. They are in a minority in CA and the Liberal nut cases along in the coastal cities dictate the laws. My heart goes out to them.

If surfing is that important to you then you should stay in CA. I had to leave or snap and start voting from the rooftop.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Gangs are a myth. Anyone who keeps a close eye on this forum will realize that there has never been a message posted by anyone who lives in California and has been killed by gangs.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Or as an alternative to Squidward's suggestion, see about hooking up with one of us locals. We may be able to take you to the range or direct you to a range with rental.

 

[Nate C.]

CWL said: "Strange, CA has been my lifelong home, I haven't been killed by gangs yet. -Maybe it's because I haven't found any active gangs working the 840 miles of our coastline..."


Stop into Port Hueneme, Oxnard, or Ventura. Especially Oxnard.

 

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by Robert Hairless
Gangs are a myth. Anyone who keeps a close eye on this forum will realize that there has never been a message posted by anyone who lives in California and has been killed by gangs.

 

[strangelittleman]

It's the air travel regs that tend to make it a pain in the rear. I've travelled quite a bit w/ handguns in stored luggage, it's a pain these days regardless of what state you're flying to. You may be better off just renting one at the range.
As for California, if you've never been, GO! It's one of the most beautiful places on earth, from the Oregon border all the way down to Mexico, it's visually stunning.
It's got it's areas that one should not stray into. Pay attention to where you're at, you can stray into a no-go zone rather easily and not immediately realize it.
I was stationed in both SoCal and the Bay area for a little over 5yrs, and I loved it.
PS: Listen to ArmedBear, he's got his stuff wired tight!

 

[Tacticaldude]

+1 Nate C.

Ventura County...safe haven for criminals..from LA County Nice beaches and weather(better than LA and SAN DIEGO) though..

Colonia Chiques are the active gangs there..

 

[rainman500_0]

Shots

I would make sure all my shots were up to date, never know what might be there.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I go to California to see my best friend at least every couple years. I don't even bother to take a gun; it's not worth the trouble.

 

[neededausername]

Thanks for all the replies. If it's a big pain to fly with a gun I'll probably just not worry about it and enjoy the beach. To all who suggested renting something at the range, that's not my thing. I want to shoot my gun, not some beat up range piece. I've been getting into competitive shooting and the more I shoot the gun I bring to competitions, the better I get with it.

 

[buenhec]

Take a shotgun, unloaded in the back seat. In a sheath unlocked. A handgun would have to be locked in the trunk. Different rules for long guns. If you put a pistol grip on it, it would be easy to smugle it into the hotel room inside your luggage.

 

[tasco 74]

you couldn't pay me enough to go to kaleephonyia for any reason..... far too many fruits and nuts!........

 

[raborlin]

I own property in California, but live in North Carolina. I also work for a large airline and travel with firearms.

When I go to visit Southern California, I do brings pistols with me in my checked luggage as I visit with friends who enjoy going out and shooting with me when I come to town.

Concerning the airline, I have never had problems checking firearms. Simply follow the rules and give yourself sufficient time to check bags and go through TSA. Airlines ask that you put your firearms in a locked hard sided case. I use a hard sided lockable Samsonite briefcase. I include by ammuntion in MTM plastic ammo boxes. You may check up to 11 pounds of ammo in your lockable case. I place my pistol in a typical pistol rug and the rug goes into the lockable Samsonite case. You must be the only one with the key to the case.

When you go to check in you need to tell the airline agent checking you in that you have a firearm and offer to show the contents of your case to the agent. Many agents will not require this check, but offer it anyway. LOCK the case. If you are told you need to go to TSA for them to look at things, do so. This is where the extra time you provided yourself pays off.

Bags are subject to handling as is all luggage, but your luggage will arrive. If there's bad weather, as you can be delayed so too can luggage arrive late. Don't panic. When you arrive to your destination and your luggage is delayed, go to the baggage counter and fill out a delayed baggage report. This tracer will assist the airline in locating the bag and delivering it you at the airline's expense to your desired address.

If you have further questions, please pm me.

Thanks for listening

Ramon

 

[MDW GUNS]

Why don't you buy your in laws the tickets to come to you?!
It's cheaper then an attorney in CA after getting arrested for what god knows in CA. Since every time you turn around there is some new law in CA!!

We all should look at CA and it's laws, because that is what we will face once Barack Hussein Obama II will take office!!

 

[sendarope]

screw CA

I just moved from CA to Virginia after living my life there. Don't worry about problems with your .22 . The cops in CA like in any other state need probable cause to search your car. Though you could probably rent any gun you want at the range and save the hassles.

I used to keep my .380 in my glove box loaded and ready but kept the car papers in the arm rest. Yeah Yeah, Illegal. Well better that than dead cause some stupid gang banger got feisty.

Have a safe trip.

 

[CWL]

for cwl ONLY:
If you'll read again his(neededausername) thread he's asking if it's worth bringing a weapon in CA. My advice is NOT WORTH IT. Sorry to say CA got some weird weapon laws. And that's the FACT.

Thanks for the armchair quarterbacking. I regularly fly across the nation from out of CA with guns to attend training classes. Have never had a problem getting them into or out of CA airports. Thanks again for the "FACT".

 

[Tacticaldude]

No problem CWL for the FACT. BTW, I like to read carefully the question of the thread before I answer...Not worth it

neededausername : Good Call..have a safe trip and enjoy the vacation( Don't forget your bluetooth headset for your cellphone..it's effective july 1st no driving without bluetooth.)