Gunning on the road...

YFZsandrider · May 25, 2010

I am planning a road trip from Wahington, down through part of California. I have both WA and OR non-resident CPLs. What do I have to be aware of when traveling into California? Firearm unloaded and seperated from ammo? Also, I imagine I would need to make sure that the gun is Cali approved?

Thanks for any input.

judicator · May 25, 2010

To my knowledge, CA doesn't acknowledge either WA or OR CHLs. Yes, you should keep your firearm unloaded, ammo separate, preferably not even in magazines. Also, it should be in a locked compartment, such as a trunk, separate from the driver/passenger part of the vehicle, if at all possible.

Personally, I prefer to stay out of CA altogether, precisely because I don't want to deal with this kind of hassle. Their laws are totally messed up.

jimwsea · May 25, 2010

Agree with Judicator. Went to the Redwoods last fall. Stopped a mile short of the Cali border...gun went in case in trunk and ammo went in glove box. Reversed the procedure after crossing back into Oregon.

YFZsandrider · May 25, 2010

I can see the reasoning for that. Now, what about the gun itself? I would be taking a Kimber Ultra, but if there's any chance that this particular model is not Cali approved, then I can take a Sig with 10 rounders.

Benny503 · May 25, 2010

I travel to California a lot, especially now I am in Southern Oregon I travel to california more often. When I go pass the check point enter california I go to the first rest area on right at siskisyou and unload my gun put my gun in my suitcase and my loaded magazines on the side of my trunk that I am easily access to. I have to remember where to put my gun at and at long it's in the trunk of my car then I feel safe. I got pulled over a few times and got 2 speeding tickets, 1 warning ticket for my gps on the center of my windshield (in california the gps have to be on the right side or left side of the windshield not on the center). All 3 times encountered law enforments and they asked if I have any weapons with me.... I ignored the question and said "You have a very nice day too officers"

drew · May 26, 2010

Benny503 said:
I travel to California a lot, especially now I am in Southern Oregon I travel to california more often. When I go pass the check point enter california I go to the first rest area on right at siskisyou and unload my gun put my gun in my suitcase and my loaded magazines on the side of my trunk that I am easily access to. I have to remember where to put my gun at and at long it's in the trunk of my car then I feel safe. I got pulled over a few times and got 2 speeding tickets, 1 warning ticket for my gps on the center of my windshield (in california the gps have to be on the right side or left side of the windshield not on the center). All 3 times encountered law enforments and they asked if I have any weapons with me.... I ignored the question and said "You have a very nice day too officers"

They asked me about weapons after a number of questions about drugs including if I had marijuana, a marijuana medical card and the like. Right before he gave me a warning he asked if I had any "guns, weapons or anything else I should know about". I ignored this question because I had a pistol locked away in the back. I'm pretty sure it was legal as the ammo was separated and the pistol was locked away in the back of the SUV including a cage separating it from the passenger area. I didn't want the guy rummaging through my stuff or arresting me if our interpretations of the law differed.

NK777 · May 26, 2010

I used to go to california but I won't go there today. California does have the old 10 round max magzine restriction still but other then that I can't see your handgun being cali illegal. Be careful down there. Personally I think I'd take a siaga shotgun. If you have to find load etc. in a hurry why not pack more fire power. Though I have no idea if a Saiga Shotgun is legal down there nor whether or not you have one.

YFZsandrider · May 26, 2010

NK777 said:
...Personally I think I'd take a siaga shotgun. If you have to find load etc. in a hurry why not pack more fire power. Though I have no idea if a Saiga Shotgun is legal down there nor whether or not you have one.

just going on a road trip in my pickup... I don't plan on making it far into California, but I want my carry gun for WA and OR. I don't own a Saiga, and I'm not taking my AR either... I don't wanna look any guiltier than I already do, if I were to get pulled over.

snew · May 26, 2010

You really want it in CA too. Just put it on the dash if you get pulled over.

YFZsandrider · May 26, 2010

snew said:
You really want it in CA too. Just put it on the dash if you get pulled over.

I will have it in Cali as well, my question is, is it legal to carry it in my vehicle, loaded or unloaded, without a California CPL?

ThemGunsThough · May 27, 2010

YFZsandrider said:
I will have it in Cali as well, my question is, is it legal to carry it in my vehicle, loaded or unloaded, without a California CPL?

I was wondering the same thing too. I also need to get my WA CPL as I travel there almost every day.

Spad · May 27, 2010

Check the California government website. Also there is a Cal gun forum.

jlprtr · May 27, 2010

YFZsandrider said:
I will have it in Cali as well, my question is, is it legal to carry it in my vehicle, loaded or unloaded, without a California CPL?

Here is your best bet: http://www.calguns.net/
They'll give you the straight scoop.

While your at it, I would suggest you ask if the firearms you'll have with you are okay to bring into the state. Although born in Portland, OR, I was raised in Cali. I moved up here in 1981, just about the time the gun laws were starting to get really squirrelly.

By the way, how did you manage a nonresident permit for Oregon? I would love to get one. :s0155:

YFZsandrider · May 28, 2010

jlprtr said:
By the way, how did you manage a nonresident permit for Oregon? I would love to get one.

This...

http://www.northwestfirearms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27872

jlprtr · May 28, 2010

YFZsandrider said:
This...

http://www.northwestfirearms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27872

Thank you for the quick reply, sandrider. Methinks it's time to head to Vancouver to see my daughter, grand daughter, and great grand son again, then on to the Sheriff's office in Oregon to file the paperwork.

Amazing dude, to go through all that just to sign people up. And kudos to his family for helping him out. Truly amazing when you think about it.

Doug Wilson · May 29, 2010

jimwsea said:
Agree with Judicator. Went to the Redwoods last fall. Stopped a mile short of the Cali border...gun went in case in trunk and ammo went in glove box. Reversed the procedure after crossing back into Oregon.

I've made a couple of trips down there recently.

Don't worry about whether the firearms are "California Legal" - that only applies if you plan on transferring the, as long as you are an out-of-state resident. There is some kinda federal law about it.

Stop at the OryGun/Ca border and put the unloaded guns and the ammo in the trunk, or if'n yer in a pick-up, not readily accessible, behind the seat.

Don't forget, the Policemen STILL must have probable cause or a warrant to search your vehicle.

Speeding is NOT probable cause.

Gimme a hollar on the way through & I'll pour some coffee or beer on ya.

503-864-2453

Doug