I-40 to CALI Need Help!

there is - agriculture inspection. They took our fruit once.

Kim said:

So the is really a check point on I-40. You have to be kidding???

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Just a checkpoint going West into California according to this below.


http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=8&f=13&t=459067

"I drive I40 at least once a month from Cali to Flag, and there are NO checkpoints coming east. There is an agricultural checkpoint going west."


Also be aware of INS Inland checkpoints too. You might want to take a look at this map from ..the aclu....

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights-constitution-free-zone-map

Although they don't say it, I would suggest that anyone traveling temporarily in California NOT bring magazines that can contain more than 10 rounds, just to be on the safe side. If you must, I would keep them locked in a case separately from the gun.

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I traveled from Arkansas to the Northwest last year, and then back through California on the way home, for a two day visit. I did the latter--locked gun and magazines (17 round) up separately in the trunk.

there is - agriculture inspection. They took our fruit once.

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When was this? I remember this as a kid, but that was 50 years ago. On my trip last year, I entered California from Oregon on 101. No inspection station there. I exited California on I-10. Although I live right off I-40 in Arkansas, this was a "road trip" designed to stay off Interstates as much as possible. I was only on I-10 from Barstow to Phoenix. Went from Phoenix to Dallas via US 60 and US 380. Lots of scenic driving, especially through Arizona and New Mexico. West Texas...well, I did get stopped for speeding (2 miles over the limit!) and after showing the trooper my CHL, had a friendly discussion about my carry piece (XDM 9). He just let me off with a warning.

The dam may be under DHS's umbrella, but when I went in January of 2012, they were allowed if unloaded and cased.

There's "random" vehicle searches, though, so you'd better keep your nose clean.

Ag checkpoint is on I-40 going west into California, ~ 5 miles west of the Colorado river (the border), and 5 miles east of Needles. Sometimes it is manned by US Border Patrol.

I take a revolver or 870 shotgun when traveling into CA, locked up not accessible to the passengers or driver, with the ammo locked up separately.

I also travel through the Mojave Desert (next ~160 miles past the Colorado River crossing on I-40) at night or very early morning if possible in the summer and fall.

Get your gas in Arizona before you enter CA at the south AZ-95 turn-off, ~15 east of the CA state line, ~$1/gallon cheaper than Needles, CA.

So the is really a check point on I-40. You have to be kidding???

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Many states have ag inspection stations as well as weigh stations. Here in FL, Ryder-type rental trucks are also required to go through the weigh stations, else the DOT cops WILL chase you down

Let me clear up some FUD. (smile)

Any handgun can be brought into California as long as it doesn't have any assault weapon features. Like a threaded barrel or magazines over 10 rounds. No SBRs etc. The Safe Handgun Roster only applies to FFLs in California selling to private citizens.

The California Highway Patrol website addresses the issue of transport in California:

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html (cut and paste below)

I will be traveling to California and want to carry my weapon. I currently have a concealed weapon permit. How can I legally transport my weapon while driving through the state?

Answer:
California law does not recognize concealed weapon permits from other states; therefore, they would not be held valid. If you wish to transport a handgun during your California visit, it should be carried unloaded in a locked container. In the absence of a suitable container, you may secure the unloaded handgun in the locked trunk of a passenger car. Ammunition may be kept in the same container or trunk, but the handgun must remain unloaded with no rounds in the cylinder and no loaded magazines in the magazine well.

*****

So the best way is to own a locked container and transport the handgun in that locked container. I personally use a $27 Briefcase that I bought at Staples. Inside is my GLOCK and a couple of loaded magazines, as well as a towel, some papers that are a copy of the CHP website.

In California you can carry this locked container (with the gun unloaded) on the front seat if you desire. Probably the best way is to just shove it with the other baggage while driving around the State. Also, remember that you don't want a locked container that screams GUN INSIDE, like a GLOCK box or a RANGE BAG with a padlock. No need alarming others is my opinion. A briefcase with dual combo locks looks just fine.

Be polite, be professional and always refuse a search. This is your right and a few hours watching COPS or 48 hours will convince you that most citizens are ignorant of their right to refuse a search. Even if the police searched the VAN and pried open the Briefcase, you have broken no laws.


(Have that copy of the CHP website above in that briefcase)

To protect your rights you have to be assertive. No consent for a search. Ever.

The AG Check points are not a problem. They are concerned with Fruit that has bugs. Don't bring any with you. Simple solution.

Oh...and never transport in the GLOVE BOX or Center console, against the law. Have the registration and proof of insurance at the ready on a plastic chip clip; hand it over if pulled over.




Welcome and have a safe trip.

Be well
Bob

To go to the Grand Canyon from 40, I recommend getting off in Williams. Its about an hour. You don't have to drive across a reservation, which is a big grey area for carrying firearms, and I think its a prettier drive. Of course, he'll be driving across reservations almost the entire time he's east of Flagstaff in AZ, almost all of NM, and much of TX and OK as well, so driving around one to get to the canyon may not make sense.

I think there is a toll booth where they ask you if you are bringing in fruit or plants something like tha5 They won't search your vehicle unless you are acting strange or do something to make them suspicious of you. Like Others have said if you keep the revolver unloaded and llocked up out of reach of the driver I think you will be fine. That being said, I think you might find a goid knife taser spray etc to be more practical and less of a hassle.

The agriculture inspection station "interview" usually goes like this:
[As I'm pulling up at about 5mph]
Inspector: "Any fruit?"
Me: "No."
Inspector: "Have a good day."
[Hit gas, continue through]

It's *barely* a checkpoint. I cannot remember the last time I saw any passenger vehicle actually come to a stop there.

" ... it is California, not Syria.........."

Yep, but which is friendlier?

Jim

I traveled from Arkansas to the Northwest last year, and then back through California on the way home, for a two day visit. I did the latter--locked gun and magazines (17 round) up separately in the trunk.

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If the mags were assembled, you broke the law.

Do NOT bring assembled magazines that can hold 11 or more rounds into CA.

To get to the Canyon:

A. Scenic route: I-40 exit 195 in Flagstaff, head north through town on Rt. 89A, turn north on Rt 180 (West Fort Valley Ranch Road). This intersection is a bit trickey to find, it's just past a rail-road underpass, then after 90 deg bend to the east, not the turn on the elbow of the bend. (Google Maps shows it pretty clearly, but I get suckered into the wrong turn 2 time out of 3...) Follow mostly north and north-east to Rt. 64, turn north, drive until you hit the Park entrance. Takes you past the home of the White Buffalo, and around the edge of Humphreys Peak. You can also stop and get directions for the Lowell Observatory in Flag.

B. Possibly slightly faster, but rather less scenic (IMNSHO...), I-40 exit 165, west of Flagstaff, turn north on Rt. 64. Drive to Park.

Or they could do one route in and the other out.

Here is another scenic, and efficient way to see more of northern AZ on route to GCNP.

Turn off I-40 at exit 201, go north on US-89 to Cameron,

(take Sunset Crater/Wapatki National Monuments loop off US-89 89 if extra time, adds ~45 minutes to route)

Take US-64 into east entrance of South Rim of GCNP, drive along rim to west entrance, and return to I-40 exit 165 via Williams.

Using this route you see 2 more National Monuments, A full drive along the south Rim, a little of the Navajo Nation, views of the Painted Desert, and the very good views of the Little Colorado River Canyon.

CA check point for fruits and vegies.

" ... it is California, not Syria.........."

Yep, but which is friendlier?

Jim

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Right now, I would say California, wouldn't you?