Do You Carry a Handgun When You Camp?

[BroncoHauler]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

Even if it's in a locked safe?

I have to imagine so, since it can be unlocked and accessed within reach of the driver. I'm hardly a lawyer so don't quote me on it.


Herb

[daveb]

It's kind of a gray area from what I've read. The law says you can't keep it in any part of the vehicles glove or any type stock compartment even if it locks. It’s not specific but points towards typical glove boxes and consoles. The law does say a locked hard case (such as a safe) is acceptable provided the weapon is not loaded and the ammo is locked in a separate container other than where the handgun is stored. At least back in 2010, there was no rule where the locked container could be mounted, but common sense comes into play...any weapon can be confiscated whether carried legal or not and court cost may outweigh the price of the weapon. I say out of site out of mind...don't let anyone see the safe. Besides, it's illegal in Ca to haul around a concealed handgun even in a safe for self protection unless you have a CCW. The only time is coming and going to a legal place to shoot so driving around town doesn’t cut it. This applies to RV's unless you are actually camping and being in a rest site or parking lot is not considered camping.
IMO an openly displayed safe just yells search me or break into my van. If you want to always have a handgun on board in a hidden spot and you don’t have a CCW, disassembling it should be legal but I’d check to see if that is even legal. I asked the local sheriff and they claimed a disassembled gun was considered parts until it was re-assembled. Best is to contact the local LE agency and ask.
Thought I posted this once.

[BillPa1]

From what I read the Titan Safe is legal in all 50 states becasue the gun is unloaded and the ammo is in a seperate, albeit attached, locked compartment. The safe will always be covered so it will not be visable at any time, but will be within reach if needed for any emergency. Even though Titan Safe has endorsements from all 50 states their product is legal (as long as the gun is not loaded), I would not want law enforcement to see the safe and challenge the validitiy of the law, therefore the form fittted box to cover it.

[BillPa1]

Sorry, I was referring to Titan "safe", it is actually a Titan Vault.

[ANZAC]

I thought in California a magazine within reach counts as loaded?
Check handgunlaw.us.....

[macmcintire]

I'm sorry I asked the question again. I think if we go back through this thread we will find this question has been answered . . . or at least tried to be answered . . . which was that no one could really answer it to the satisfaction of everyone really except to say, "If you want to be safe in California, it's probably best not to carry a handgun in your vehicle unless you wish to take the chance of having to justify your actions in a court of law." As for me, I've decided to leave my gun at home when I cross the border of the great state of California. Sadly, it is in California where I felt the need the most for a handgun while boondock camping in the desert.

[bratworst]

It is legal to transport your handgun to anyplace where it is legal to possess.
CONCEALED handgun transport in California:
(1) The firearm is within a motor vehicle and it is locked
in the vehicle's trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle.
(2) The firearm is carried by the person directly to or from
any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose and, while carrying
the firearm, the firearm is contained within a locked
container.

..while being transported to or from a place, the firearm shall
be unloaded and kept in a locked container, and the course of
travel shall include only those deviations between authorized
locations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances.

"locked container" means a secure container
that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, keylock, combination lock, or similar
locking device.

The term "locked container" does not include the utility or
glove compartment of a motor vehicle.

Ammunition in the locked container is legal. So long as the handgun is itself unloaded,
ammunition in the same container does not make the handgun loaded.

[macmcintire]

So, this to me says I CAN carry my firearm in California in my LOCKED firearm safe next to my drivers seat of my SMB as long as the gun is UNLOADED.

[bratworst]

That's what the pertinent sections of the penal code say. FYI some people buy stick on labels (from on-line sources) for placement on their locked gun container that says:

*NOTICE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT*
THE CONTENTS OF THIS CONTAINER ARE PRIVATE!
VOLUNTARY CONSENT TO SEARCH IS NOT GRANTED.
A SEARCH WARRANT IS REQUIRED FOR ACCESS.
OWNER/SUSPECT INVOKES HIS/HER RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
Please direct all questions to owner/suspect's attorney, who should be contacted before proceeding.

[ANZAC]

Here's a good thread:
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/sho ... p?t=401369

And another:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/show ... p?t=103660