California does not like guns and they have a lot of rules for us gun owners. However we still want to play by the rules and you might be wondering how to legally transport your guns to and from the range. Here you will find the answers as well as other helpful information.

How Do I Legally Transport Guns in California?

The answer to this question comes directly from the Department of Justice (DOJ) which states the following for the given types of firearms, note that you do not need any special permit as long as you follow these rules:

HANDGUNS

Must be unloaded while transporting

Must be locked in trunk or inside locked container if not locked in trunk

Must be carried directly to or from any motor vehicle for any lawful purpose in locked container

Must be transported by someone 18 years old or older with no firearm restrictions against them (Penal Code 25610)

Must be US citizen and California resident or temporarily in California

While the handgun must be unloaded, it is legal to have ammunition and loaded magazines inside the locked container (as long as they are not inside the gun).

What Defines Locked Container?

California Penal Code section 25610 defines a locked container as:

Secure container that is fully enclosed

Locked by padlock, key lock, combination lock or similar

This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment

Is a Cable Lock Wrapped Around the Handle of My Pistol Case Considered Legal for Transport?

This means the cable lock you purchased for your handgun is not enough to transport legally by itself. It must be inside a fully enclosed container that is locked. My favorite pistol case that is perfect for transport is the Pelican 1200 case (see on amazon) . Otherwise a range bag with a small pad lock will also do the trick.

This is a common question because when you take a new handgun home in California, the law requires you to purchase a new trigger lock or cable lock. Couple this with the fact that many handgun cases that come with your new pistol do not provide a feature to use a lock for some reason (Glock is an example of this). But to travel home with the gun it must be inside a locked container!

Often times the gun clerk where you purchased your handgun will suggest you wrap the cable lock around the handle of the gun case suggesting it now satisfies the law. If you find yourself in this situation like I have in the past, you will probably be okay taking the handgun home directly from the dealer with this solution. However in some cases there is enough slack in the cable lock to crack open the case just enough to pull the handgun out!



I would not recommend you transport your handgun like this on a regular basis, rather invest in a good lockable case (see recommendation above) that removes all doubt of whether or not you are in accordance with the law in the event something happens.

SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES

Must be unloaded

Does not need to be inside locked container unless traveling through school zone

If you want to take your rifle or shotgun to the range it must be unloaded during transportation. If at any point you are traveling through a school zone, the rifle or shotgun must be in a locked case. Plan your route accordingly or simply invest in a good lockable case, see my recommendations here for AR style rifles that may also work for your other long gun.



REGISTERED ASSAULT WEAPONS

California Penal Code section 30945, subdivision (g) provides that registered assault weapons may be transported:

Only between specified locations

Must be unloaded and stored in a locked container

Pursuant to California Penal Code section 16850, the term “locked container” means a secure container that is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination lock, or similar locking device. This includes the trunk of a motor vehicle, but does not include the utility or glove compartment.

How Do I Legally Transport Guns in California with a Truck?

When transporting firearms with a car, locking them in the trunk is a perfectly legal solution for transport. However for those of us who drive trucks don’t have that option. The rules stated above still apply and the best legal solution to transfer firearms in a truck is to:

Have all guns unloaded

Have all handguns locked inside a fully enclosed container

Have long guns inside locked container if traveling through school zone

Your glove compartment or center console does not count as a locked container. Ammunition and loaded magazines can be stored inside the cases granted they are not inside the guns.

As long as you satisfy the criteria above it is okay for the guns to be on the passenger seat. If you have a crew cab it may be a good idea to store them on the back seat although no law requires this.

Can I Transport Firearms in The Locked Tool Box of My Truck?

The law does not address this scenario specifically. However it does mention utility compartments like the glove box and center console as lockable containers that are not a means of legal transportation for handguns whereas a locked trunk is.

There is an argument on both sides of the law for using a truck tool box as a means for firearm transportation in California. My advice when facing ambiguous legal questions is always error on the side of caution and transport your firearms as clearly outlined above.

Conclusion

When in doubt, transport your firearms unloaded and locked inside a case to stay 100% legal. Do this and you should not have anything to worry about.

Disclaimer, I am not a lawyer and do not pretend to be one. The information on this page is for educational purposes only.

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