CCW Car Storage - How to secure your weapon in an automobile

[1911-CV]

Really helpful and you (Dvrjon) are sure on top of this stuff. So if Joe NoCCW throws his pistol in a locking but non-DOJ-approved case and shoves it under his seat, out of view, he is good to drive into a parking lot controlled by an amusement park. But if Jill CCW does the same thing it is an offense.

Have you spent any brain cells looking at 26230(c), particularly 26230(c)(3)? From subs 1 and 2 it appears the firearm must be transported in a locked case but sub 3 provides for limited transport in the immediate area surrounding their vehicle for storing or retrieving. With the prohibitions, I don't see how one could legally be in a position to perform sub 3?

 

[NorCalBusa]

.

 

[Dvrjon]

All of the controls up to this point deal with transporting the gun while in the vehicle. But if you take the gun out of the car to put it in your truck or pickup bed box, you'd be in violation. These sections provide relief from mall cops, Karens, etc.

shall be allowed to:
(1) Transport a concealed firearm or ammunition within a vehicle into or out of the parking area so long as the firearm is locked in a lock box.

You can bring the gun or ammunition into the parking lot if you have first locked it up.

(2) Store ammunition or a firearm within a locked lock box and out of plain view within the vehicle in the parking area. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to preempt local laws placing more restrictive requirements upon the storage of firearms in vehicles.

You can leave the gun and ammo in the vehicle within the parking lot.

(3) Transport a concealed firearm in the immediate area surrounding their vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm within a locked lock box in the vehicle’s trunk or other place inside the vehicle that is out of plain view.

Everything up to this point requires transport within the vehicle. However, if you have installed a lock box in the trunk or perhaps the back seat, you need to take the gun there to secure it. Without this clause, that would jeopardize the carrier as they have the gun on their person. If they are seen carrying it or transferring it to the trunk, without this provision they could be arrested. This then also allows you to retrieve the firearm from the lock box and reholster it. Taking it at face value, one should also be able to place the gun in the lock box while in the car and take it to the trunk.

IANAL, but I learnded to read goodly.

 

[1911-CV]

Ok, but since the firearm has to be locked in a lock box to transport onto the prohibited parking lot area, is the only allowed use of sub (3) to transfer from one locked lock box to another? Perhaps one in the passenger compartment and another in the back seat or trunk? Maybe one you are carrying around with you (lock box in your backpack?) and one in the vehicle?

(Public school grad).

 

[ddesoto10]

I don’t think those are legal in California for gun storage. California wants them locked in the trunk of your car or in the case of an SUV or truck as far back to the rear, locked/secured and out of reach.

That is only if you don't have a ccw. If you have a ccw you can put it in a lock box anywhere in the car

 

[Call_me_Tom]

That is only if you don't have a ccw. If you have a ccw you can put it in a lock box anywhere in the car

You didn’t bother to read the whole thread but instead decided to pontificate.

 

[Dvrjon]

That is only if you don't have a ccw. If you have a ccw you can put it in a lock box anywhere in the car

The statement that:

California wants them locked in the trunk of your car or in the case of an SUV or truck as far back to the rear,

Is erroneous, and was clarified in post #12

 

[Dvrjon]

Ok, but since the firearm has to be locked in a lock box to transport onto the prohibited parking lot area, is the only allowed use of sub (3) to transfer from one locked lock box to another? Perhaps one in the passenger compartment and another in the back seat or trunk? Maybe one you are carrying around with you (lock box in your backpack?) and one in the vehicle?

(Public school grad).

Since I wasn't in the room when they discussed this langage, all we can do is interpret why it is there. After telling us everyplace we cannot have the CCW, they added this section with these three caveats telling us what we can do. I think, in this light, they might have developed #3 under the scenario of, "What if they can't pull over to secure the weapon before they get onto the property?" The answer to that is #3, which allows you to transport (carry) the weapon "in the immediate area surrounding their vehicle within a prohibited parking lot area only for the limited purpose of storing or retrieving a firearm. That's pretty specific, and in context with the rest of the statute, seems to be the most reasonable reading of the text. Any other contortion would, as you suggest, create an impossible situation.

 

[wtf_calguns_migration]

Zip tie it to a pitbulls collar.
Leave a sandwich with the dog.

 

[yatzooa]

A bit late to the thread, but I also have a lockbox under my seat (tethered). I also have a trunk fabric cloth to cover it and make it not super obvious that there's a lockbox under my seat IF someone were to break into my car and started to look around.

If you have space under your seat or your passengers seat, this might be an option? I opted for a plain old key version because I wanted to keep it simple haha

https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Lock-Box-X-Large-95210/dp/B001I15HSU

 

[TFA777]

It must be in a locked container, but not necessarily in the trunk.

A locked container is the exception because SUVs don't have lockable trunks.
Some sedans don't either (technically if your rear seat can fold down the trunk is not lockable).

 

[drinktothat421]

Bolted downlock box best option. I use a cable and lock box myself but that only for post office and things that require short disarm periods.

 

[Dvrjon]

A locked container is the exception because SUVs don't have lockable trunks.
Some sedans don't either (technically if your rear seat can fold down the trunk is not lockable).

It’s not an exception, it’s an option. There is nothing which mandates the trunk be used unless you don’t have a trunk. (That could categorize the options as exceptions.). But, as the statute is written, even if you have a trunk, you can simply use a locked container inside the vehicle, out of plain view.

CA PEN 25140(a) options:

lock the handgun in the vehicle’s trunk,
lock the handgun in a locked container and place the container out of plain view,
lock the handgun in a locked container that is permanently affixed to the vehicle’s interior and not in plain view, or
lock the handgun in a locked toolbox or utility box.

 

[TFA777]

It’s not an exception, it’s an option. There is nothing which mandates the trunk be used unless you don’t have a trunk. (That could categorize the options as exceptions.). But, as the statute is written, even if you have a trunk, you can simply use a locked container inside the vehicle, out of plain view.

CA PEN 25140(a) options:

i mean from the concept of what defines a 'locked container'. A locked 'trunk' is the equivalent of a locked container, PROVIDED you cannot access the trunk from the interior of the vehicle.
Otherwise you have to use a locked container (hence SUVs 'trunks' don't qualify).

If you have your CCW its irrelevant

 

[Dvrjon]

i mean from the concept of what defines a 'locked container'. A locked 'trunk' is the equivalent of a locked container, PROVIDED you cannot access the trunk from the interior of the vehicle.
Otherwise you have to use a locked container (hence SUVs 'trunks' don't qualify).

If you have your CCW its irrelevant

Unfortunately, under SB 2 provisions it is relevant, as one can only carry two of the approved guns on their license at a time. That means the 3rd + guns have to be transported/stored as though there is no CCW in force.

 

[1911-CV]

Really helpful and you (Dvrjon) are sure on top of this stuff. So if Joe NoCCW throws his pistol in a locking but non-DOJ-approved case and shoves it under his seat, out of view, he is good to drive into a parking lot controlled by an amusement park. But if Jill CCW does the same thing it is an offense....

I think I got this wrong, after re-reading I think there are two standards for the storage container; one for the parking lot of prohibited locations that requires a DOJ-approved case; and another for everywhere else. Being a CCW holder doesn't seem to be a factor in which type of case is required.

 

[five.five-six]

I thought I paid $14 at the time but it’s also good for keeping spare cash

Portable Gun Safe with 1500 lbs. Tether for Mounting the Compact Lockbox in a Cabinet, Drawer or Vehicle

 

[NorCalBusa]

Bolted downlock box best option. I use a cable and lock box myself but that only for post office and things that require short disarm periods.

If you have only one car or don't mind buying/installing more.

 

[NorCalBusa]

I thought I paid $14 at the time but it’s also good for keeping spare cash

Portable Gun Safe with 1500 lbs. Tether for Mounting the Compact Lockbox in a Cabinet, Drawer or Vehicle

• Dimensions: exterior- 9.5 in. L x 6.5 in. W x 1.8 in. H, interior- 9.25 in. L x 6.25 in. W x 1.35 in. H
  
  Pro tip; do yourselves a favor before you buy and know the dimensions (especially height) of your gun and the space under your seat (if that's where you intend to put it) and out/in holster when you store it. If you plan to add optics or a light, factor in those dimensions as well.

 

[Markbsae]

What kind of SUV? Console vault makes them for the center console. I have one in my F150.

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Or you could try one of these. I don't have any experience with them though.

Hidden Headrest Safes for Cars

The Headrest Safe is a hidden gun safe for cars that keeps firearms, cash, and valuables secure. Shop discreet, durable vehicle safes built for safety and peace of mind

www.theheadrestsafe.com

The standard vaults are great but they usually lack a slide out option for under seat storage. That headrest vault is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. Many new cars have airbag inflators and sensors in the head rest and lots of them the headrest can be removed easily. ( I was a auto technician for 7 years) It looks totally out of place and would be very cumbersome to open/close/operate with the doors closed. Not to mention its above the belt line to where states like cali where side window tint forward of the driver is illegal it would be in plain view.