I will be traveling to California and want to carry my weapon. I currently have a concealed weapon permit. How can I legally transport my weapon while driving through the state?
California law does not recognize concealed weapon permits from other states; therefore, they would not be held valid. If you wish to transport a handgun during your California visit, it should be carried unloaded in a locked container. In the absence of a suitable container, you may secure the unloaded handgun in the locked trunk of a passenger car. Ammunition may be kept in the same container or trunk, but the handgun must remain unloaded with no rounds in the cylinder and no loaded magazines in the magazine well.
If you have additional questions, contact the California Department of Justice at 916-227-3703.
Did you even bother to read the quote from the California Highway Patrol?Ummmmm, I would really recommend that you find somewhere to stash your gun in Nevada before you go to California. The federal transportation law only applies if you're "passing through." It even states that it only applies if you're driving through and only stop to eat, gas up, and sleep. Going to Disneyland doesn't fall under this.
No handguns are 'outright banned' -- there are features that are banned, such as handguns with threaded barrels and some other problems. Importing magazines of greater than 10 round capacity is a crime but the OP didn't ask about that. There are also more gun owners in California than the entire population of most other individual states.Plus there are many handguns that are outright banned in California, and magazines over 10 rounds are also illegal. California is an absolute nightmare for a gun owner and Paradise City for the Brady Campaign.
No it isn't, but we've got problems to deal with here too.Nevada isn't as backwards in its firearms laws, though.
Ummmmm, I would really recommend that you find somewhere to stash your gun in Nevada before you go to California. The federal transportation law only applies if you're "passing through." It even states that it only applies if you're driving through and only stop to eat, gas up, and sleep. Going to Disneyland doesn't fall under this.
Plus there are many handguns that are outright banned in California, and magazines over 10 rounds are also illegal. California is an absolute nightmare for a gun owner and Paradise City for the Brady Campaign.
Nevada isn't as backwards in its firearms laws, though.
As far as the magazine capacity issue, don't bring anything into the state with more than a 10 round capacity. I have been informed that is a felony in CA.
Alaska444 is justifiably cautious. And, just as many cops don't know the law regarding transport and continue the lie that ammo must be separate from the firearm (I guess LEO don't communicate with each other and the CHP website is unread by other agencies) there are problems with magazines too.Actually, unless there is more to it than what you quoted under the above statement, it looks like it would be okay to have a magazine with a 10+ capacity. You just can't import it, sell it, lend it, etc.... Carrying it with no intention of parting with it doesn't appear to be a crime.
I may be wrong on this. I also believed, before reading this post, that the firearm and ammo had to be stored separately.
I live in California...You need to be very aware that local towns and cities in Nevada have specific laws such as Mesquite that denies CCW without specific permission from the city even if you already have a Nevada CCW. Boulder City Nevada also has very different regulations that you would need to be aware of as well but in general OC in Nevada in the car is not an issue. As with all issues, check the state for any updates of the laws that do change more frequently than is always easy to keep up with.
NRS 268.418 Limited authority to regulate firearms; restrictions concerning registration of firearms in city in county whose population is 400,000 or more.
1. Except as otherwise provided by specific statute, the Legislature reserves for itself such rights and powers as are necessary to regulate the transfer, sale, purchase, possession, ownership, transportation, registration and licensing of firearms and ammunition in Nevada, and no city may infringe upon those rights and powers. As used in this subsection, “firearm” means any weapon from which a projectile is discharged by means of an explosive, spring, gas, air or other force.
2. The governing body of a city may proscribe by ordinance or regulation the unsafe discharge of firearms.
3. If the governing body of a city in a county whose population is 400,000 or more has required by ordinance or regulation adopted before June 13, 1989, the registration of a firearm capable of being concealed, the governing body shall amend such an ordinance or regulation to require:
(a) A period of at least 60 days of residency in the city before registration of such a firearm is required.
(b) A period of at least 72 hours for the registration of a pistol by a resident of the city upon transfer of title to the pistol to the resident by purchase, gift or any other transfer.
4. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1, as used in this section:
(a) “Firearm” means any device designed to be used as a weapon from which a projectile may be expelled through the barrel by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion.
(b) “Firearm capable of being concealed” includes all firearms having a barrel less than 12 inches in length.
(c) “Pistol” means a firearm capable of being concealed that is intended to be aimed and fired with one hand.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 652; A 2007, 1289)
Respectfully, I would suggest that the OP (and yourself) need to be very aware of the Nevada state preemption statute which makes it illegal for cities and towns to enact regulations which you suggest are in force:
I live in North Idaho and have a Utah non-resident ccw. I know I'm ok going thru Montana and Utah but will be going to Vegas then on to LA (I'm gonna Disneyland!!). Here's what I understand the laws to be so if anyone knows for a fact to the contrary, please inform. NV: conceal is ok in the car but not on person. Visible in the car is also ok although I personally wouldn't. CA: Unload the gun, melt it down (just kidding, kinda) lock it in a box, keep separate from the ammo. (Ironic that LA would be the place I'm most concerned about actually needing it and can't have access to it.) Anything else? Thanks in advance.
Regarding transport in Kalifornia, just keep your shooting irons, and ammo separate, and locked down in the trunk. You will have no problems. The cops usually don't hassle tourists with money.If your in LA and find yourself in a situation that you need it you are in the wrong area. Most of LA is great and overall a nice place to live if you like cultural diversity in your food and the people surrounding you. Just like any other reason to carry it's because of the unknown to protect yourself. I lived in LA for 8 years and can't think of one time I wished I was carrying. I carry for insurance and hope to never need it.
Jason
Thanks for the update. I just got my Nevada CCW a couple of months ago and went through the CCW class in Clark County. Bob Irwin's book noted some of these different regulations in the various cities, but perhaps as you suggest they are now preempted which is good and will make matters more simple and that is old information still in his book.
The instructor of our class who is Las Vegas LEO noted that you are not allowed to carry while gambling in Boulder City but the guns do not have to be registered while in Las Vegas they do have to be registered with the blue cards. Nevada does not require gun registration but Clark County does. Also in North Las Vegas, you have to have a specific reason to have a gun in your car while the rest of Las Vegas you don't. The ammo must be separate from the gun in North Las Vegas according to the notes from my CCW class fore those that do not have a Nevada CCW.
I took the class in May of this year and the instructor specifically stressed several of these points. Not sure how preemption applies to those aspects. The instructor pointed out the different state, county and local laws. Not always easy to find information on line, but that is from a CCW class 2 months ago from an active LEO.
You've raised several important misunderstandings about California law. And it's no surprise people have problems with it, CA law is stupidly contradictory.I'm a little confused on the 10+ capicity magazine. I bought a Taures 24/7 from an Army buddy here in CA. He bought it in Washington State. I'm new to CCW and handguns (old school infantry guy-M16's and larger). I was nerveous when I read the gun list on the DOJ and the laws. I called DOJ and told them I had the gun and wanted to whatever to get this right, to include taking the gun out of Cali. The women accknowledged that this gun was not authorized for sale in CA but thru a private transaction I was OK. We dicussed this at length to include the 2 15 rd Mags that came with it. She was very helpful and even laughed at how scared I was at the thought of breaking the law. She told me that I was GTG and to go get it registered, which I did. I took this to also mean that I could use the Magazines as well. BTW, to be on the safe side I bought 4 10rd mags for use. CCW pending and I would rather not take the chance.
The FUD in the post you quoted has been addressed before. Links have been provided wherein the parties involved have stated they will follow the law. People evidently choose not to believe the facts; I don't know why. Also, it's amazing how often these people post when a little time with the 'search' button would provide accurate info.Most of that information is complete B.S. If it is not against Nevada state law to carry a firearm/ammo in a certain location and during certain activities then it CANNOT be against local law. Period. Regardless of what local LEO and local CCW instructors think. In North Las Vegas, the only reason you need to have a loaded handgun carried in plain sight in a vehicle is the desire to do so. There is no legal requirement to have the ammo separated from the gun, either.
There also is no state law making it illegal to possess a gun while gambling. Casinio's may post their own signs prohibiting firearms - but that would be trespassing if you don't leave when asked to because of your gun.
It really bothers me when people push false anti-gun information... not ragging on the poster, but these LEO's and CCW instructors! The question, "Do you happen to have a reference for that?" is great to determine if they are speaking from true knowledge backed by statutes or just blowing smoke.
Most of that information is complete B.S. If it is not against Nevada state law to carry a firearm/ammo in a certain location and during certain activities then it CANNOT be against local law. Period. Regardless of what local LEO and local CCW instructors think. In North Las Vegas, the only reason you need to have a loaded handgun carried in plain sight in a vehicle is the desire to do so. There is no legal requirement to have the ammo separated from the gun, either.
There also is no state law making it illegal to possess a gun while gambling. Casinio's may post their own signs prohibiting firearms - but that would be trespassing if you don't leave when asked to because of your gun.
It really bothers me when people push false anti-gun information... not ragging on the poster, but these LEO's and CCW instructors! The question, "Do you happen to have a reference for that?" is great to determine if they are speaking from true knowledge backed by statutes or just blowing smoke.
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