Does anyone know the law on carrying a legal rifle onboard when flying in California? I'd love to have it with me for protection when going to certain places. I'm not talking about a CCW for a handgun or open carry, just rifles mainly, but if anyone wants to speak to the handguns please feel free.

Preddriver wrote:Does anyone know the law on carrying a legal rifle onboard when flying in California? I'd love to have it with me for protection when going to certain places. I'm not talking about a CCW for a handgun or open carry, just rifles mainly, but if anyone wants to speak to the handguns please feel free.

I am under the impression it's perfectly legal in private aircraft. Common sense and maybe the law would suggest that it must be unloaded (true in cars).

Where in California would you need a rifle for protection?

Here are a couple of reputable resources:

http://www.californiaopencarry.org/faq.html

http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/index ... tgun.29.3F

Although the laws don't seem to address carriage in a private plane, just to be on the safe side I always handle it the same as I would when carrying in my car.

It appears to me that it's legal to carry an unloaded rifle in CA.

It also appears to me that it's legal to carry a loaded rifle while flying,
BUT it's possibly illegal to carry a loaded rifle when you takeoff or land if you do so at a public place. See Penal Code 12031:

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12020.php

skiermanmike wrote:

Where in California would you need a rifle for protection?

I'm not sure, the thought just crossed my mind when thinking about flying out to go fishing or camping somewhere and having a rifle with me.

Preddriver wrote:

skiermanmike wrote:

Where in California would you need a rifle for protection?

I'm not sure, the thought just crossed my mind when thinking about flying out to go fishing or camping somewhere and having a rifle with me.

Good idea, with a quarter million robberies a year and 165,000 violent assaults per year in that state, everyone should carry something. A rifle is lighter than a cop. I went through this question earlier when I was going to Bakersfield for a pig hunt, unloaded rifles are acceptable but make sure they are bone stock hunting rifles. Montana doesn't care what you screw onto your rifle but CA does. They also don't honor Concealed Carry permits from other states but it does cross on your license plate if your vehicle is registered in your name. In other words, if they're acting snorty when they pull you over for speeding, it's because you're being profiled due to your CWP.

I have a co-worker that's been trying to get into the Orange County Sherrifs Dept. (and he's a huge gun buff) and we have a good friend that's a Cypress PD cop. I asked the same question to both of them.

"As long as the gun is unloaded/clip out, it's legal to carry a gun in your vehicle" It's always best to carry it in a case, too.

I've lived in California most of my life and I would not go anywhere, car or plane without a pistol or a rifle. If your in town or on a highway just be sure it's not loaded.

Rick

http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/travel

start at page 33 of the below PDF
http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/ ... fl2007.pdf

Having carried for a while now, all I'm gonna say is; The nice thing about carrying a concealed handgun is that nobody needs to know you're packing. Don't get into any stupid confrontation, don't act nervous when talking with police, don't consent to any search, don't carry in a manner which is likely to be "made" (fanny packs, tight clothing, etc), and you can carry almost anywhere. Obviously, this excludes carrying large weapons with most types of clothing. Unfortunately, all the areas you really should have a firearm with you, are places it is illegal.

I know that's not exactly what you asked, but it could be pertinent. Even with a rifle, it can pay to be discreet. Nobody is likely to steal a weapon they don't know you have. Ditto for law enforcement.

I always make it a point to Carey a firearm no matter where I go or fly in the United States. I look at it as insurance. Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. Carrying a firearm on a camping trip , there is nothing wrong with it. Calf. has some of the most stringent firearms laws on the books today. When transporting the fire arm , keep it unloaded,and in a case, keep the ammo in a safe place till you reach your destination or place of use.Any firearm dealer can tell you of the State laws. Law Enforcement would like to keep most of us unarmed. Don't advertise you carry in your plane.
Hope this helps some....

Ken in Alaska

If I was camping by myself out in the boonies I'd want to have a weapon. There are some weird people in California.

all my vehicles are armed, and loaded. if u arent gonna have it loaded/ready, dont bother packin'...

my a/c, m/c, favorite is my double action thunder 5, holds 5 3" .410 shells. leave one chamber empty, of course...

as said before, dont advertise it, but have it if u need it...!

i always have one of my handguns in the plane when I fly the backcountry here in San Diego and especially when I go to Idaho..nothing but illegals in the back country here.. I don't have a concealed carry permit... and what good is an unloaded gun???

I think carrying concealed while in the boonies is essential. I like the little 5 shot .357 from Taurus. Somebody around here has as a signature, "you don't shoot to kill, you shoot to stay alive". I carry concealed rather than open carry because it doesn't scare the civilians. I've been thinking about a rifle for the airplane, (when it finally becomes possible). I like the Browning BLR breakdown in 22-250 (coyotes) or .308 (varmints). I have never carried in california but have been asked by CHP if I have a weapon in the car. It's forever on your drivers license database once you've had a CCP anywhere.

I carry a survival rifle when I fly and to where ever I fly. It is a breach open, over/under .22LR/ .410 ga. that breaks in half. The rounds store in the butt stock. The .22 with open sights is very accurate and I have shot a few birds with the .410. Check it out!
http://www.survival-gear-guide.com/M6-S ... Rifle.html

Emory Bored wrote:I think carrying concealed while in the boonies is essential. I like the little 5 shot .357 from Taurus. Somebody around here has as a signature, "you don't shoot to kill, you shoot to stay alive". I carry concealed rather than open carry because it doesn't scare the civilians. I've been thinking about a rifle for the airplane, (when it finally becomes possible). I like the Browning BLR breakdown in 22-250 (coyotes) or .308 (varmints). I have never carried in california but have been asked by CHP if I have a weapon in the car. It's forever on your drivers license database once you've had a CCP anywhere.

I like open carry. I really don't care what the sheeple think about it. It's our right and a deterrent. Most of the time it'll stop the crime before you have to draw. With concealed carry, you look like any other victim. The "they'll take it away from you and shoot you with it" is so rare that it's almost mythical.

That said, I conceal in larger towns. Don't like the idea of permits. It's like paying to exercise a right. Turns it into a privilege. Can't open carry here in Texas anyway... yet. I have in Louisiana since 1980.

Btw. A unloaded gun is just a rock

Just in case you are interestedL:

On Bud's Gun Shop Forums the question came up: What is the smallest caliber you trust to protect yourself? The best answer:


My personal favorite defense gun has always been a Beretta Jetfire in 22 short. Over all the years I've been hiking I never leave without it in my pocket. Of course we all know too the first rule when hiking in the wilderness is to use the "Buddy System." For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this it means you NEVER hike alone, you bring a friend or companion, even an in-law, that way if something happens there is someone to go get help.

I remember one time hiking with a Muslim from Syria in northern Alberta. Out of nowhere came this huge brown bear and man was she mad. We must have been near one of her cubs. Anyway, if I had not had my little Jetfire I'd sure not be here today. Just one shot to the Muslim's knee cap and I was able to escape by just walking at a brisk pace. That's one of the best pistols in my safe.

Yup... I don't gotta run faster than the bear. Just faster than you!

Gump