Army
Regular Member
Just to clear a few things up for all of you out-of-staters
Unloaded Open Carry is the only legal means of carry we have in incorporated areas, that does not require permission from the governments.
In rural areas, Loaded Carry is legal where discharge of a a firearm is legal. We can also carry loaded and/or concealed while camping (but not in National Parks)
Carry of unlimited amounts of ammunition is allowed, ready in magazines or speedloaders on the belt (or even loose in the pocket if you carry a revolver. Court findings make pocketing a magazine very iffy, as that could be held as concealing a weapon). An empty magazine in the well is also legal (and is the preferred method of carry in public). I carry 4, ten round magazines in a dual stacked pouch when I carry.
We do not have "stop and ID" in California (my understanding is no state does), and you are NOT required to give any personal information to an LEO if you are not under arrest or being investigated. The "E" check is considered an illegal detainment by citizens, but the courts have not ruled specifically on it. The LEO is ALLOWED to perform the check, but he is NOT REQUIRED to do so. Many towns and cities have been enlightened, and no longer hassle UO Carriers.
Big caveat is carrying within the 1000' so-called "Gun Free School Zone", when it must be unloaded and in a locked case (no description of a "case" is mentioned in the law. We use most anything that can accept a padlock). Same restrictions involve carrying concealable firearms in a car. They can be on the seat or dash or in your lap if they are unloaded, but must be case locked in the GFSZ. Many of us simply use a small briefcase or such on the seat, and already know where the local K-12 schools are, lock them up while traversing, then pull them back out on the other side (there is no requirement to know the GFSZ's in a strange town or area, and ignorance of these is a safeguard added into the law).
We have a lot of stupid gun laws here, but nearly all are written so poorly that getting around them legally is fairly easy.
I have been told by LEO's that carrying a gun is dangerous...I reply: "That's the point".
Unloaded Open Carry is the only legal means of carry we have in incorporated areas, that does not require permission from the governments.
In rural areas, Loaded Carry is legal where discharge of a a firearm is legal. We can also carry loaded and/or concealed while camping (but not in National Parks)
Carry of unlimited amounts of ammunition is allowed, ready in magazines or speedloaders on the belt (or even loose in the pocket if you carry a revolver. Court findings make pocketing a magazine very iffy, as that could be held as concealing a weapon). An empty magazine in the well is also legal (and is the preferred method of carry in public). I carry 4, ten round magazines in a dual stacked pouch when I carry.
We do not have "stop and ID" in California (my understanding is no state does), and you are NOT required to give any personal information to an LEO if you are not under arrest or being investigated. The "E" check is considered an illegal detainment by citizens, but the courts have not ruled specifically on it. The LEO is ALLOWED to perform the check, but he is NOT REQUIRED to do so. Many towns and cities have been enlightened, and no longer hassle UO Carriers.
Big caveat is carrying within the 1000' so-called "Gun Free School Zone", when it must be unloaded and in a locked case (no description of a "case" is mentioned in the law. We use most anything that can accept a padlock). Same restrictions involve carrying concealable firearms in a car. They can be on the seat or dash or in your lap if they are unloaded, but must be case locked in the GFSZ. Many of us simply use a small briefcase or such on the seat, and already know where the local K-12 schools are, lock them up while traversing, then pull them back out on the other side (there is no requirement to know the GFSZ's in a strange town or area, and ignorance of these is a safeguard added into the law).
We have a lot of stupid gun laws here, but nearly all are written so poorly that getting around them legally is fairly easy.
I have been told by LEO's that carrying a gun is dangerous...I reply: "That's the point".