CA transporting hand gun in car

[hiatus619]

I'll be drivng up from San Diego to San Francisco this Christmas season and wanted to know if I got things straight when carrying a firearm. My cousin and I are aspiring to be in law enforcement and enjoy shooting. Unfortunately, we have only went to the range together once. I also have a .357 S&W which I have never ever shot before (I've had the thing for 3 years) and am really excited to use it. What I have read from the CA Dept of Justice website is that:

The gun needs to be unloaded.
The gun needs to be in a locked container, which includes the trunk but not the glove compartment or utility box.

This part confuses me a little. Does that mean the trunk can suffice as a locked container if I lock the trunk, or do I still have to lock the actual carrying case. Do I only have to lock the carrying case if I keep it in the passanger area and is not required to be locked if I keep it in the trunk?

I probably will lock the case anyways no matter where I keep it but just wanted to verify exaclty what the law is.

Thanks in advance

[CA Cop]

Yes, it should be okay in the trunk unloaded without being locked up, though when I was in the academy, our instructors had us lock the cases as well because it's better safe than sorry if some officer interprets it differently.

But remember, it has to be in a locked container when you're carrying it to or from the vehicle anyway, so you might as well leave it locked when it's in the trunk.

[Kahuna5150]

I'll be drivng up from San Diego to San Francisco this Christmas season and wanted to know if I got things straight when carrying a firearm.

If you plan on being in the actual City/County limits of San Francisco with a firearm, you may want to do a bit of research on Proposition H that was recently passed in San Francisco. It goes into effect on Jan 1, 2006 and bans the possession/ownership of any firearm within the City and County of San Francisco. I'm not 100% on top of the new law, but I would make sure *BEFORE* you bring a firearm there...

Kahuna

[Time Traveller]

Keep ammunition and weapon seperate, in many States an unloaded weapon, sitting next to a box of ammunition is considered a loaded weapon as they are both accessible. It is a technical interpretation, unloaded, in the trunk with a safety lock on the weapon and the ammo away from the weapon and you should be good to go.

[MsCoyoteKatie]

I'd go ahead and spend the 5 extra bucks and get a locking case, or a locking device for the gun (cable lock, etc.). Pre-HR218, I'd cable lock the gun, and then put it in a locking case if I was traveling through a state that didn't honor my CCW. (You're protected by federal law in this case.)

Your best bet regarding the San Francisco law is to contact the California Attorney General's office. I know the law is being challenged, but don't know what effect that has on the Jan 1 deadline.

Good Luck--
Coyote

[Johnny_Danger]

bans the possession/ownership of any firearm within the City and County of San Francisco.


Isn't there a little something in the U.S. Constitution that gives us the right to bear arms? Those damn hippies in SF are at it again... first banning military recruiters and now something like this? Sheesh... I hope it is not true.

[cpwclarke]

Isn't there a little something in the U.S. Constitution that gives us the right to bear arms? Those damn hippies in SF are at it again... first banning military recruiters and now something like this? Sheesh... I hope it is not true.

Ya, I'm still a little blown away by this. What are they going to do, go door to door seizing weapons?

Anyway, a little off topic, but it still peeves me.

[Time Traveller]

Isn't there a little something in the U.S. Constitution that gives us the right to bear arms? Those damn hippies in SF are at it again... first banning military recruiters and now something like this? Sheesh... I hope it is not true.

I would hope that we don't get in a Con Law discussion here.

[LeeRoy]

If you plan on being in the actual City/County limits of San Francisco with a firearm, you may want to do a bit of research on Proposition H that was recently passed in San Francisco. It goes into effect on Jan 1, 2006 and bans the possession/ownership of any firearm within the City and County of San Francisco. I'm not 100% on top of the new law, but I would make sure *BEFORE* you bring a firearm there...

Kahuna

SF Prop H only applies to residents of San Francisco. You won't be in violation of that goofy law unless you decide to stay and take up permanent residency.

Yes you all read that right. Law abiding folks who live there cannot legally possess a firearm in their own home but a gang member from Daly City can bring his lawfully purchased gun into SF and not be in violation of the ordinance. Silliness in Shangri-La.

[Kahuna5150]

Why that is the absolute stupidest thing I've ever heard of... As I said, I didn't get a chance to read the bill... Good to know the gun crime in SF is only committed by SF residents! :) I guess the "will" of the people won out as only SF residents could vote for the law...

Kahuna