demnogis
Regular Member
imported post
Hello there I have been an avid shooter of both pistols and rifles for about 18 years now. Upon my last visit to the range this past weekend, one of the members of my dad's shooting group (Inland Shooters) was informing me of the legalities of openly carrying in the state of california. I met so many people that day, I feel bad for not being able to remember his name. I believe it was kevin, and he was there with his uncle shooting an M16 or AR 15, not sure which. They were CA legal, though
Anyhow, on to my question:
I have spent the better part of my working day today reading and trying to absorb as much info as I can from this website and californiaopencarry.org, and other california gun owners forums. I saw under california state penal code 12025, 12025.5, 12026 that openly carrying or lawfully carrying a firearm openly is allowed. To make sure my local Law Enforcement Office would have an understanding I called (Orange County Sheriff's Department in Santa Ana, California) and asked if there were any state, city or county laws, penal codes or ordinances that would prohibit me from lawfully open-carrying an unloaded firearm. The officer on the other end of the line was very polite, told me that they believed it was illegal, under CA State Penal Code 12020 as brandishing a firearm.
After reading the penal code here:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/pen/12020-12040.html
I saw it as a person is in violation if they carry concealed. I think this goes in conjunction with CA Penal Code 12025/.5 that lawfully carrying is defined as openly carrying, unloaded, etc etc.
I'm confused. I'm not sure how to proceed on the subject with my local Law Enforcement Office, and avoiding a negative incident with local law enforcement when I do decide to openly carry is ideal. Should I call my local sheriff's department again and ask to speak to someone higher up for clarification? The last thing I want to do is take someone important away from a critical task and waste their time (it is as valuable as mine imho). Is there a way I can provide to them clarification so I don't become wrongfully imprisoned, searched or have my weapon siezed? I'm in Costa Mesa, which is quite close to a heavy gang area (Santa Ana).
I do understand that officers of the law may make uneducated actions at times, but for both our sake's I want to minimize that -- even when providing the open-carry pamphlets available. (We all know that literature sometimes is not enough).
I thank you for reading this far, and hopefully providing some insight. Also, are there any other Orange County OCers local? Maybe there's a good range nearby.
~D
Hello there I have been an avid shooter of both pistols and rifles for about 18 years now. Upon my last visit to the range this past weekend, one of the members of my dad's shooting group (Inland Shooters) was informing me of the legalities of openly carrying in the state of california. I met so many people that day, I feel bad for not being able to remember his name. I believe it was kevin, and he was there with his uncle shooting an M16 or AR 15, not sure which. They were CA legal, though
Anyhow, on to my question:
I have spent the better part of my working day today reading and trying to absorb as much info as I can from this website and californiaopencarry.org, and other california gun owners forums. I saw under california state penal code 12025, 12025.5, 12026 that openly carrying or lawfully carrying a firearm openly is allowed. To make sure my local Law Enforcement Office would have an understanding I called (Orange County Sheriff's Department in Santa Ana, California) and asked if there were any state, city or county laws, penal codes or ordinances that would prohibit me from lawfully open-carrying an unloaded firearm. The officer on the other end of the line was very polite, told me that they believed it was illegal, under CA State Penal Code 12020 as brandishing a firearm.
After reading the penal code here:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/pen/12020-12040.html
I saw it as a person is in violation if they carry concealed. I think this goes in conjunction with CA Penal Code 12025/.5 that lawfully carrying is defined as openly carrying, unloaded, etc etc.
I'm confused. I'm not sure how to proceed on the subject with my local Law Enforcement Office, and avoiding a negative incident with local law enforcement when I do decide to openly carry is ideal. Should I call my local sheriff's department again and ask to speak to someone higher up for clarification? The last thing I want to do is take someone important away from a critical task and waste their time (it is as valuable as mine imho). Is there a way I can provide to them clarification so I don't become wrongfully imprisoned, searched or have my weapon siezed? I'm in Costa Mesa, which is quite close to a heavy gang area (Santa Ana).
I do understand that officers of the law may make uneducated actions at times, but for both our sake's I want to minimize that -- even when providing the open-carry pamphlets available. (We all know that literature sometimes is not enough).
I thank you for reading this far, and hopefully providing some insight. Also, are there any other Orange County OCers local? Maybe there's a good range nearby.
~D