Bringing gun for visit to CA

[Bigum]

I joined the forum yesterday. I'm a former Californian (my story is posted in the new members section) who comes back to visit about once a year. I'll be heading out to CA again soon and was considering bringing a handgun (I'll be flying -- it will have to be checked). My CC gun is usually a .40 M&P or a SIGPRO 2022 .40. Both of these guns have magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Does this mean I can't visit the state with these guns? Would I have to purchase a 10 round magazine? And, does it matter if these are California legal since I'm just visiting?

Thanks for any help. I know I can't CC. I just wanted to be able to have it while we visited different parts of the state (in car and hotel room).

[akulahawk]

The guns themselves would be OK. You'll need 10 round magazines though. Leave the "Large Capacity" magazines at home. Remember the rules about transporting them around in this state though...

[Bigum]

I figured the high cap mags would be a no no. The only gun that I even own that has a low capacity magazine is my Glock 20. I could only find the 10-round version when I bought it. I since have bought the standard 15-round mags.

I don't really want to bring my 10mm, but it might be the only option.

[NikNak]

Welcome, enjoy the state and as mentioned, it will make for a better trip if you stay legal. I have found no issues with flying with my pieces. I do suggest using your phone to take a quick pic of your luggage and "piece" inside to validate you had them .... just in case anyone gets sticky fingers. I suggest doing this quickly as you check in so the airline counter is visible in the pic .... just my opinion.

[El Gato]

If you were in possesion of the hi-cap mags, in california, before the law went into effect, then they are legal to return to california.... If you did not take possession of the mags until after the law went into effect then they cannot be brought into the state...

Stupid Law....

[Javaman]

you can bring the magazines back here, even if you had them in Ca before the ban.

[Greg-Dawg®]

Welcome aboard!

Just pass on through as fast as you can. Seriously.

Here's some additional info ragarding trasportation and going through CA: Traveling with Firearms in California - Bureau of Firearms - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

[Spicy McHaggis]

CA Penal Code 12020(b)23 allows you to bring the magazines back in to CA if you owned them prior to leaving.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any of the following:
(23) The importation of a large-capacity magazine by a person who
lawfully possessed the large-capacity magazine in the state prior to
January 1, 2000, lawfully took it out of the state, and is returning
to the state with the large-capacity magazine previously lawfully
possessed in the state.

[spc]

El Gato and spicy, you guys beat me too it with the correct answers.

Just remember to keep your hand guns in a locked container with the ammo separate while in your car. You are good to go in the hotel room though with a loaded hand gun for protection.

spc

[Bigum]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I'll have to bring my Glock 20 with my 10 rd mags. Any limit on the # of magazines? I have a hard time with that 10 rd mag rule. Is that really supposed to have some type of effect on crime?

If I keep the gun locked in its original case in the trunk and the mags loaded w/ammo in the glove box, will I be within the law?

Thanks again for the help.

[akulahawk]

You can bring in as many 10 round magazines as you want. And yes, the legislature thinks the restriction is supposed to reduce crime or something like that.

Just make sure that the unloaded pistol is in a locked container (Key or padlock) and the magazines should be outside the container. This is safest for you for not getting arrested should you end up getting stopped. The magazines can be in the trunk and and probably should be. There's no sense in giving a LEO a free snoop around your car looking for the pistol that the magazines in your glove compartment says is there... Just put them in a bag (doesn't have to be locked) for easy carry to and from the car. Again, the pistol needs to be locked in it's own container. The original container if it can be locked securely closed would probably do just fine.