Driving to California, what gun to bring along?

[bmwrdr]

I fail to see how I can defend myself with a gun that is inside a locked container.

The average Californian isn't allowed to defend themselves with a firearm outside of their home.

In other words it is a bad idea to bring a gun to California and the chances to return with a felony charge are increased by doing so.

But bringing a gun does increase your chances of returning at all.

... and it may be a good idea to contact a CA law office before leaving.

http://tracygraysonlaw.com/practice-are ... ns-charges

You may also want to pre-emptively bribe the local government officials to avoid being jailed for something that is not illegal. Good advice in all third world countries, including California.

That is a non-fiction statement. And don't forget to bribe the bribary officials before you request a quote for the possible fines for not bribing anybody.

[Soccerdad1995]

I fail to see how I can defend myself with a gun that is inside a locked container.

The average Californian isn't allowed to defend themselves with a firearm outside of their home.

In other words it is a bad idea to bring a gun to California and the chances to return with a felony charge are increased by doing so.

But bringing a gun does increase your chances of returning at all.

... and it may be a good idea to contact a CA law office before leaving.

http://tracygraysonlaw.com/practice-are ... ns-charges

You may also want to pre-emptively bribe the local government officials to avoid being jailed for something that is not illegal. Good advice in all third world countries, including California.

That is a non-fiction statement. And don't forget to bribe the bribary officials before you request a quote for the possible fines for not bribing anybody.

This is exactly why I avoid going to places like California, Fallujah, Caracas, New York City, Washington DC, etc., if at all possible.

[The Annoyed Man]

I’ve made the trip a LOT of times. I have family there who won’t make the effort to visit me here, so I have to go there if I want to see them.

I don’t bother with long guns. I bring a handgun, and I make sure it is one that is California legal from a capacity standpoint. I don’t choose based on concealability, because you’ll never see sunlight again if you get caught with a concealed pistol in California. Your LTC simply means you’re one of the bad guys.

Ergo, I bring along either a .357 revolver (both of mine are J-frames, or I’d carry a bigger one), or one of 3 semiautos I have with ≤10 rounds capacity: G43, G26, or M&P45. I bring one. My wife brings one. That’s it.

It does not matter if your gun is on the official state roster of acceptable handguns, as that only applies to guns for sale in California. Your handgun can be missing from the roster, but it better not have a magazine of larger than 10 rounds capacity. Of those guns that I own that are legal to bring into California, I am most likely to bring one that won’t break my heart if it is confiscated. I just assume that if I need the gun, no matter how legitimately, it will be confiscated, and I probably won’t get it back.

[SQLGeek]

I fail to see how I can defend myself with a gun that is inside a locked container.

The average Californian isn't allowed to defend themselves with a firearm outside of their home.

In other words it is a bad idea to bring a gun to California and the chances to return with a felony charge are increased by doing so.

But bringing a gun does increase your chances of returning at all.

... and it may be a good idea to contact a CA law office before leaving.

http://tracygraysonlaw.com/practice-are ... ns-charges

You may also want to pre-emptively bribe the local government officials to avoid being jailed for something that is not illegal. Good advice in all third world countries, including California.

I think the going rate for an LTC in an unfriendly county is a minimum of $20,000 in campaign contributions to the Sheriff.

Believe it or not, there are some counties that are practically shall issue.

[The Annoyed Man]

Believe it or not, there are some counties that are practically shall issue.

That would be the counties holding about 5% of the population. If you’re going to visit any big coastal city, fuhgeddaboudit.

[montgomery]

Just one. Rifle? Pistol? Shotgun? Revolver?

Of course, it has to CA-legal and all that.

Maybe a Ruger GP100 SS? Or a Marlin lever-action in .357? How about a Remington 870 12 ga? Glock 19 with 10-round mags?

BRING ALL OF THEM. It is California.

[SQLGeek]

Believe it or not, there are some counties that are practically shall issue.

That would be the counties holding about 5% of the population. If you’re going to visit any big coastal city, fuhgeddaboudit.

Well Sacramento County isn't exactly small but most of them are. LTC issuance is at the discretion of the local sheriff but the license is good statewide.

[HondoTX]

... and it may be a good idea to contact a CA law office before leaving.

California Rifle and Pistol Association
http://crpa.org/

[CleverNickname]

Jeez, it's not Mexico or Iraq or something. You guys are being a little hyperbolic. Take a handgun with <=10 round mags, carry it in Arizona, New Mexico and whatever other states you pass through that recognize your LTC. Before you drive into California, unload it and put it in a locked case in your trunk. Take it out at your destination for the night. Reverse the process when you leave. Yeah it's not ideal, but it's not difficult. Or just don't go. You guys wanting to bring a lawyer into it are making it waaaaay more complicated than necessary.

[BBYC]

1911

[Soccerdad1995]

Jeez, it's not Mexico or Iraq or something. You guys are being a little hyperbolic. Take a handgun with <=10 round mags, carry it in Arizona, New Mexico and whatever other states you pass through that recognize your LTC. Before you drive into California, unload it and put it in a locked case in your trunk. Take it out at your destination for the night. Reverse the process when you leave. Yeah it's not ideal, but it's not difficult. Or just don't go. You guys wanting to bring a lawyer into it are making it waaaaay more complicated than necessary.

Hyperbolic? It's not like we are saying that a legal method of carry is "dumb" or anything as provocative as that.

California is a state with a lot of high crime areas where U.S. citizens are not allowed to carry guns or other means of self defense. When I was in Iraq there were bad guys who wanted to do me harm, but I was allowed, and actually required to carry my rifle everywhere I went. So it's a bit of comparing apples to oranges.

Mexico is a better comparison to California, IMHO. I don't see a significant risk profile difference between visiting "risky" areas in Mexico or California. In both cases you are likely to have a very bad day. And in both Mexico and California, if you have the means to stay in well protected areas, you are likely to be OK despite lacking the means to protect yourself.

[GreenMan0352]

Jeez, it's not Mexico or Iraq or something. You guys are being a little hyperbolic. Take a handgun with <=10 round mags, carry it in Arizona, New Mexico and whatever other states you pass through that recognize your LTC. Before you drive into California, unload it and put it in a locked case in your trunk. Take it out at your destination for the night. Reverse the process when you leave. Yeah it's not ideal, but it's not difficult. Or just don't go. You guys wanting to bring a lawyer into it are making it waaaaay more complicated than necessary.

Southern california might as well be mexico. All the gangs and drugs. I lived in comifornia for close to 4 years and they had ridiculous laws. And people are not exxagerating if you are caught violating the law even if its something minor and you didn't know you best know a good lawyer or you better find one.

[The Annoyed Man]

Jeez, it's not Mexico or Iraq or something. You guys are being a little hyperbolic. Take a handgun with <=10 round mags, carry it in Arizona, New Mexico and whatever other states you pass through that recognize your LTC. Before you drive into California, unload it and put it in a locked case in your trunk. Take it out at your destination for the night. Reverse the process when you leave. Yeah it's not ideal, but it's not difficult. Or just don't go. You guys wanting to bring a lawyer into it are making it waaaaay more complicated than necessary.

Southern california might as well be mexico. All the gangs and drugs. I lived in comifornia for close to 4 years and they had ridiculous laws. And people are not exxagerating if you are caught violating the law even if its something minor and you didn't know you best know a good lawyer or you better find one.

I lived in SoCal most of my life until moving here in 2006. I was NOT exaggerating. Their law is easy to follow, but get caught breaking it, and you WILL do time. Like most socialist paradises, they are not very forgiving people.

[boxermoose]

1911

In 10mm

[Take Down Sicko]

I'll be surprised in you have anything left but under shorts by the time they get through with you in california. I would kiss off going there.