California Vehicle Transportation/Carry

[LiveLife]

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer/LEO, just a random layperson posting on THR.

traffic stops that worry me are the ones where the officer is telling you your tag light is dim, or you're swerving within your lane

During early years of 26 years I worked for CA state government, a coworker's son worked for CA Highway Patrol. When we inquired how not to get speeding tickets/pulled over, he told us to "stay/blend in with the herd and don't stand out":

• Don't make sudden moves
• Don't drive way faster than other cars/vehicles,
• Drive on the right/slower lanes and stay away from left/fast/PASSING lane
• Signal BEFORE changing lanes (I usually let blinker blink 3 times and change lanes gradually)
• When driving in left lane (If right/slower lanes are pack full of semi trucks or poorly maintained CA road is really bad ... Yes, CHP know that too), don't brake approaching vehicle in front of you. Instead, adjust your speed to maintain safe distance behind them.
• Have your speedometer calibrated or verify accuracy with road speed indicators and note if your speedometer is off and drive no faster than 5 mph over posted speed limit (If everybody is speeding 10-15 mph over like on I-15 from LA to Vegas, drive with the flow of traffic but not faster).
• Maintain vehicles to avoid "fix it" ticket pullover for broken tail light, etc.
• CHP sometimes will park near the top of freeway/highway onramp so patrol car won't be seen by approaching drivers on the offramp side. IF you are speeding for some reason, slow down as you approach freeway/highway overpass. (They often also park in the shadow of overpass)

He said doing the opposite will definitely catch his eyes.

One of three CA agencies I worked for before retirement covered the entire state and my office was responsible for surveying hospitals/health care facilities from Bakersfield to northern borer with Oregon. During seven years of driving all over the state (Often, I had 12-14 hour drive back home after week long survey), I never got pulled over using coworker's son's suggestions. Only times I was approached by CHP were when I was pulled over during 12-14 hour drive back home and was tired to take a nap on the side of road and when explained, patrolmen replied they were doing wellness/safety checks and that would be the end of encounter.

something about your car ... where the cops start asking a bunch of stupid questions and shining their flashlights all over the inside of your car

You have the right to remain silent. (Anything you say will likely be used against you )

Wife's cousins are Ventura Police sergeant and Ventura County sheriff's deputy and when police are asking "stupid questions", they are likely looking for suspects/perpetrators matching your vehicle's descriptions and/or persons matching your descriptions and could be fishing.

Instead of giving stupid answers (and getting upset), which you are not required to provide, be polite and simply ask if you are being detained. If no, then ask if you are free to go. Because if police do not have reasons to detain you, they have to let you go about your business.

 

[wayneinFL]

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer/LEO, just a random layperson posting on THR.


During early years of 26 years I worked for CA state government, a coworker's son worked for CA Highway Patrol. When we inquired how not to get speeding tickets/pulled over, he told us to "stay/blend in with the herd and don't stand out":

• Don't make sudden moves
• Don't drive way faster than other cars/vehicles,
• Drive on the right/slower lanes and stay away from left/fast/PASSING lane
• Signal BEFORE changing lanes (I usually let blinker blink 3 times and change lanes gradually)
• When driving in left lane (If right/slower lanes are pack full of semi trucks or poorly maintained CA road is really bad ... Yes, CHP know that too), don't brake approaching vehicle in front of you. Instead, adjust your speed to maintain safe distance behind them.
• Have your speedometer calibrated or verify accuracy with road speed indicators and note if your speedometer is off and drive no faster than 5 mph over posted speed limit (If everybody is speeding 10-15 mph over like on I-15 from LA to Vegas, drive with the flow of traffic but not faster).
• Maintain vehicles to avoid "fix it" ticket pullover for broken tail light, etc.
• CHP sometimes will park near the top of freeway/highway onramp so patrol car won't be seen by approaching drivers on the offramp side. IF you are speeding for some reason, slow down as you approach freeway/highway overpass. (They often also park in the shadow of overpass)

He said doing the opposite will definitely catch his eyes.

One of three CA agencies I worked for before retirement covered the entire state and my office was responsible for surveying hospitals/health care facilities from Bakersfield to northern borer with Oregon. During seven years of driving all over the state (Often, I had 12-14 hour drive back home after week long survey), I never got pulled over using coworker's son's suggestions. Only times I was approached by CHP were when I was pulled over during 12-14 hour drive back home and was tired to take a nap on the side of road and when explained, patrolmen replied they were doing wellness/safety checks and that would be the end of encounter.


You have the right to remain silent. (Anything you say will likely be used against you )

Wife's cousins are Ventura Police sergeant and Ventura County sheriff's deputy and when police are asking "stupid questions", they are likely looking for suspects/perpetrators matching your vehicle's descriptions and/or persons matching your descriptions and could be fishing.

Instead of giving stupid answers (and getting upset), which you are not required to provide, be polite and simply ask if you are being detained. If no, then ask if you are free to go. Because if police do not have reasons to detain you, they have to let you go about your business.

Those are all excellent suggestions to avoid getting pulled over for a ticket. If you don't want to get pulled over for an investigatory stop, you can't be driving in the wrong place or at the wrong time, and you need to spend more money on your rolling hunk of depreciating asset.

You can do some things to avoid it but a lot of it depends on where you are and what you're driving. I have a son who drives my late father's 89 Grand Marquis. Meticulously maintained mechanically, but ugly. He's a cook, leaving a restaurant/bar at around midnight. He's literally the most boring driver I've ever seen, but he still stands out at midnight pulling out of downtown with the bars. At 22, he's been pulled over at least a couple dozen times and never had a ticket.

Last time I was pulled over I was in a white truck and was pulled over because someone in a white truck burglarized a business on the same highway a couple of nights before. I already knew I had the right to remain silent. I did not have the ability to remain silent. I did have an ability to speak fluent French.

 

[Mk-211]

I have some friends that I ought to visit in California. So what guns that you own would you bring on a road trip to California?

I'd want a pistol and rifle and would probably bring my Glock 43X with 10rd mags. I'd have to debate what rifle I would bring.

Of what I currently own, my 308 Savage Scout Rifle or 308 Savage Hog Hunter would be in the running. While I have a Mini-14 I would have to remove the flash hider and buy 10rd mags. My Winchester 94 30-30 would also be in the running. I'd rather have the longer range capability of a 308 though.

All of these can come into CA, even the mini-14. Pretty sure it has never been on any AW list. At least in the standard ranch version, if it's set up like an AC556, no.

People don't think about shotguns, they can be considered AW's depending on the "features" on them. If my Benelli M3 had a folding stock, I would've had to register it. The folding stock and pistol grip would make up 2 features. Likewise if it had a detachable box mag, with PG or folding stock.

The crazy part, all my AR's are featureless, have muzzle brakes (not flash hiders) pistol grips with mud flaps and detachable mags.

 

[LiveLife]

stands out at midnight pulling out of downtown with the bars

But think about it, as if you were the police on patrol.

At that time of the night, anyone pulling out of downtown "bars" would be suspicious for sobriety check. For me it would.

 

[wayneinFL]

But think about it, as if you were the police on patrol.

At that time of the night, anyone pulling out of downtown "bars" would be suspicious for sobriety check. For me it would.

Yes. I have put myself in the shoes of a guy whose job it is to try to find a way around the 4th amendment and stop everybody he can to investigate them for crimes. I totally understand why pulling over a cook repeatedly by the same cop sitting in the same place outside a restaurant seems reasonable. A lot of cooks smoke pot.

It doesn't help that the kid takes after his mother. He is a kind, agreeable person. He's not like me. He won't make the stop unpleasant enough that the same guy won't pull him over again.

 

[LiveLife]

... in a white truck and was pulled over because someone in a white truck burglarized a business on the same highway a couple of nights before.

And unless they were arresting you, they had to let you go.

I think sometimes drivers do not exercise their right to remain silent and what they say and do could and will get them in trouble. Cooperate politely and allow police to do their job and if they do not have reason to detain/arrest you, then they have to let you go.

After 29 years with my wife, learned similar applied to our marriage ... If wife is pissed off at me for "something", I have the right to remain silent and not piss her off further (Yup, unfortunately I married a "human" wife full of flaws ). Once I open my mouth to try to explain, things just go downhill. If I keep my mouth shut and allow her to process whatever she is processing, (And me being silent is often the hint) she usually connects the dots and things go back to being OK or she will apologize for being pissed off at me for no/wrong reason.

And as wife's cousins told me, they are human and can make mistakes (I know, because I talked to their wives ). They just don't like having their mistakes pointed out to them. And keep in mind that being shot at and losing coworkers make people "jumpy" and have "bad days" (Because they are human) ... Why push their buttons?

 

[Basura Blanca]

It really isn't that complicated, unless readers want to make it such...much like the folks who wrote the above

It gets over-complicated because of the misconception that California is a gotcha state, out to prosecute every little gun "crime" that's been codified into law for the last 150 years. A backpack with a small padlock between the two zipper loops is my travel case, unloaded of course, and nothing gun related in any console compartment. The last time I said not to worry about this stuff beyond that superficial level, I was chastised for being reckless.

 

[epags]

It gets over-complicated because of the misconception that California is a gotcha state, out to prosecute every little gun "crime" that's been codified into law for the last 150 years. A backpack with a small padlock between the two zipper loops is my travel case, unloaded of course, and nothing gun related in any console compartment. The last time I said not to worry about this stuff beyond that superficial level, I was chastised for being reckless.

Yea! Finally someone posted about not storing a firearm in the center console. Must be in a locked case, unloaded....preferably in the trunk. I have an SUV (no truck so I keep it in a locked case in the storage area of the SUV.
Many of the earlier posts make it sound like the LEOs of California are a bunch of hawks looking for a pigeon. In reality we have fewer highway patrol then 10 years ago and they are looking for erratic drivers or those going 5+ miles over the speed limit. As for city police....they are looking for speeders and folks (like myself) who drive through a stop sign (not a stop light, although that would also get their attention).
Relax, drive the speed limit and obey traffic laws and you will be fine.
It has been ~30 years since the aforementioned stop sign incident.

 

[wayneinFL]

And unless they were arresting you, they had to let you go.

I think sometimes drivers do not exercise their right to remain silent and what they say and do could and will get them in trouble. Cooperate politely and allow police to do their job and if they do not have reason to detain/arrest you, then they have to let you go.

So your position is that police should be allowed to pull you over without probable cause or articulate reasonable suspicion? That they should be able to stop anyone they want and say show me your papers, and conduct an investigation? And I should be polite when they're breaking the law? I don't think you really think that.

And your position is that this is just a mistake? They accidentally make up reasonable suspicion, inadvertently flipp on the lights. They just bumble into a conversation asking where you're going, where you work, why you're out so late, etc. because they're lonely.

That sure seems like an intentional act, but let's assume it's a mistake. You think I shouldn't give them feedback and inform them they made a mistake in language that will get their attention? Just be polite and allow it to continue to get worse?

If they really are professionals, they should be able to handle a little feedback. If a kid working in a sandwich shop or a Kmart can take a little constructive criticism, so can a cop.

I get that I shouldn't make any sudden moves, be truthful, and allow the cop to see or seize a firearm if he wants. I've told my sons to do the same. But if the cop's not doing a good job, I'll tell him, just like I would anyone else. My kids are scared to do that- there's a reverence for cops after 9/11 that I know for a fact my dad's generation didn't have.

 

[LiveLife]

You have asked questions regarding transporting firearm and ammunition in CA from out of state and I do believe sufficient information have been provided to answer those questions.

Now you are asking questions that are subjective and dependent on individual officer and I cannot answer that. I have provided my personal experience with CHP to help with your trip back to CA in lessening the chance of being pulled over.

Enjoy your visit.

- EOM -

 

[splithoof]

Lots of solid info has been listed, especially about driving. As a lifelong Californian who frequently travels with multiple firearms, my best suggestions are to AVOID any encounters with police, and know about laws specific to what firearms are prohibited. The best possible encounter with ANY police is the one that never happens.
For an explanation of laws relating to “assault weapons”, check this out:
https://crpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Info-Bulletin-Assault-Weapons-2024.pdf

Someone mentioned driving through a fast-food outlet while transporting firearms; after you see the very high prices (thanks to the $20/hour requirement) you won’t likely be doing much of that, ever again.

 

[Miami_JBT]

A carry permit makes life easier. But so far California doesn’t recognize other states permits.

I wonder why they accept other states drivers licenses.

Money.... California make money off toll fees and interstate commerce. They don't care if the people they're making money off of cam defend themselves.

 

[splithoof]

A carry permit makes life easier. But so far California doesn’t recognize other states permits.

I wonder why they accept other states drivers licenses.

That exact question is the subject of a lawsuit recently filed by the CRPA. It also addresses the very high fees, considerable delays, and other issues utilized by several LE agencies as a way to discourage citizens from obtaining .gov permission to exercise a constitutional right. Unfortunately, suits like those sometimes take decades to resolve, grinding their way through the appellate industry at a snail’s pace. Sorry to thread drift, but that entire subject is a whole other book.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Those are all excellent suggestions to avoid getting pulled over for a ticket. If you don't want to get pulled over for an investigatory stop, you can't be driving in the wrong place or at the wrong time, and you need to spend more money on your rolling hunk of depreciating asset.

You can do some things to avoid it but a lot of it depends on where you are and what you're driving. I have a son who drives my late father's 89 Grand Marquis. Meticulously maintained mechanically, but ugly. He's a cook, leaving a restaurant/bar at around midnight. He's literally the most boring driver I've ever seen, but he still stands out at midnight pulling out of downtown with the bars. At 22, he's been pulled over at least a couple dozen times and never had a ticket.

Last time I was pulled over I was in a white truck and was pulled over because someone in a white truck burglarized a business on the same highway a couple of nights before. I already knew I had the right to remain silent. I did not have the ability to remain silent. I did have an ability to speak fluent French.

As a former FL LEO, for investigative traffic stops, FL Statute 316.2004 was the most used reason for stops.

316.2004 Obstruction to driver’s view or driving mechanism.—
(1) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
(2)(a) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver’s view ahead or to the sides or with the driver’s control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
(b) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of such vehicle which materially obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
(3) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 1, ch. 76-31; s. 318, ch. 95-148; s. 151, ch. 99-248.
Note.—Former s. 316.093..

Every pair of fuzzy dice, CD, etc hanging from the rear view mirror was a reason for a stop.



I'm sure California has something similar to that.

And I'm sure out of state tags stick out like a sore thumb and CHP, the Sheriff's Office, or the Municipals use their version of said statute as a fishing expedition to see if they can meet their "not a quota" work performance expectations for stops and arrests.

My last agency, we didn't have a quota, but we did have a work performance expectation of clearing a minimum number of arrests a year and anything lower than that number resulted in a "performance improvement program" and then termination if you didn'tget your numbes up. But it wasn't called a quota, since quotas were made bad by the courts. They were just expectations of performance.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Lots of solid info has been listed, especially about driving. As a lifelong Californian who frequently travels with multiple firearms, my best suggestions are to AVOID any encounters with police, and know about laws specific to what firearms are prohibited. The best possible encounter with ANY police is the one that never happens.
For an explanation of laws relating to “assault weapons”, check this out:
https://crpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Info-Bulletin-Assault-Weapons-2024.pdf

Someone mentioned driving through a fast-food outlet while transporting firearms; after you see the very high prices (thanks to the $20/hour requirement) you won’t likely be doing much of that, ever again.

Best advice given. Avoid the cops altogether. And FL ain't far behind. We have mandatory $15 minimum wage in our state constitution.

 

[Jim Watson]

I'm more concerned with why other States would accept their licenses.
Carry or driver's.

Or marriage.

ARTICLE IV​

Section 1​

---

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

But that doesn't apply to GUNS!

"stay/blend in with the herd and don't stand out":

A cop here said
"If he is going over the speed limit, he is breaking the law. Pull him over.
If he is going under the speed limit, he may be impaired. Pull him over.
If he is going right at the speed limit, he may have something to hide. Pull him over."

 

[Miami_JBT]

Or marriage.

ARTICLE IV​

Section 1​

---

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

But that doesn't apply to GUNS!



A cop here said
"If he is going over the speed limit, he is breaking the law. Pull him over.
If he is going under the speed limit, he may be impaired. Pull him over.
If he is going right at the speed limit, he may have something to hide. Pull him over."

Driver’s licenses aren't public acts, records or judicial proceedings. DLs are recognized via interstate compacts. A driver's license is treated no differently than a business license. If I were a licensed real estate agent in FL, my license doesn't work in Georgia or Alabama.

States don't recognize others DLs all the time. FL doesn't recognize DLs from a number of states.

 

[Frank Ettin]

The OP’s question has long since been answered.