Am I Ready To Open Carry In California?
Have you learned the laws in California to be able to open carry there? We shall see.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Under certain circumstances, it is possible to carry a loaded handgun in California outside of your home.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
You can carry a loaded handgun in unincorporated areas where the discharge of a firearm is lawful. This means if you live in a city, then you cannot carry loaded. You can also carry loaded in your house and if your yard is fenced and closed off from the general public from entering, then you can carry loaded in your yard. See CA PC 12031.Rate this question:
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- 2.
You know there is a K-12 school nearby where you are at. What is the minimum distance from the edge of the school's property can you legally openly carry a firearm?
- A.
100 feet
- B.
500 feet
- C.
1000 feet
- D.
1500 feet
- E.
1 mile
Correct Answer
C. 1000 feetExplanation
You must be at least 1000 feet away from the edge of a school's property. This is measured as the crow flies, so it doesn't matter if there is a freeway or an impassible wall between you and the school zone. It only matters how far away you are using a direct line from you to the nearest point of the school property. See CA PC 626.9 for more information.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Where can you legally open carry a firearm?
- A.
Police Station
- B.
City Hall
- C.
A preschool
- D.
A University
- E.
Post office
Correct Answer
C. A preschoolExplanation
Carrying within publicly owned buildings is generally unlawful. This includes police stations, city halls, post offices, courts, and various other locations. Before you enter a building, ask yourself if it is privately owned. If it is, then you might be okay. Carrying on a K-12 school or an University is unlawful as well. Preschools that do not teach Kindergarten or higher grades are lawful to carry at providing they aren't in a publicly owned building. See 39 CFR 232.1 (l), CA PC 626.9 and 171(b-d)Rate this question:
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- 4.
Where are some lawful places you can place a handgun in your car if you know you won't be traveling through any school zones?
- A.
Dashboard
- B.
Locked Center console
- C.
Locked Trunk
- D.
Passenger seat
- E.
Locked glove box
Correct Answer(s)
A. Dashboard
C. Locked Trunk
D. Passenger seatExplanation
Generally you must keep your handgun visible to open carry it in a car. Places like the floor of the car are a bad idea to put your handgun since it could easily become concealed or be argued that it is hard to see and thus concealed. The center console and the glove box, locked or not are both unlawful places to carry a handgun. You can also have your handgun in your holster. Keep in mind that if you have to stop suddenly or swerve that your handgun could slide around and become concealed if it is on the passenger seat or dashboard. See CA PC 12025 for more information.Rate this question:
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- 5.
What are the characteristics that a container must have in order to transport an unloaded firearm through a school zone?
- A.
Opaque
- B.
Child-proof
- C.
Hard-sided
- D.
Fully-enclosed
- E.
Locked
Correct Answer(s)
D. Fully-enclosed
E. LockedExplanation
The law states that a container must be locked and fully-enclosed to transport an unloaded firearm through a school zone. See CA PC 626.9 for more information.Rate this question:
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- 6.
You're in Los Angeles. Where is a good place to keep your loaded magazine while you open carry your semi-automatic?
- A.
In the firearm's magazine well
- B.
Pants pocket
- C.
Magazine holster
- D.
In your hand
- E.
Under your top hat
Correct Answer
C. Magazine holsterExplanation
Concealing a loaded magazine while open carrying can be classified as carrying a concealed weapon. While carrying a loaded magazine in your hand isn't unlawful, it isn't practical. Since you're Los Angeles, which is incorporated, you cannot carry loaded. See CA PC 12025 and People v. Hale.Rate this question:
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- 7.
You are open carrying a revolver. Can you put your speed loaders in your pocket?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
Correct Answer
A. YesExplanation
Since revolvers can operate without the presence of a speed loader or moon clip, they are not considered to be parts that are necessary to operate the firearm. You can therefore carry speed loaders and moon clips concealed and not worry about being charged with carrying a concealed weapon. See CA PC 12025 and People v. Hale.Rate this question:
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- 8.
You have a .44 magnum revolver and you're in Sacramento, but unfortunately you lost your ammo (for shame!). Can you open carry at the State Capitol?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
Correct Answer
B. NoExplanation
The State Capitol is in a State Park. Unfortunately, this means you cannot open carry at the State Capitol despite there being a penal code specifically stating that you can if you lack ammunition. Tricky tricky. See CA PC 171(c-e) & CCR Title 14, Div 3, Chap 1, section 4313(a)Rate this question:
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- 9.
What are some of the things you should have with you if you plan on open carrying?
- A.
Voice recorder
- B.
Your HSC card
- C.
Ammunition
- D.
Friendly witnesses
- E.
Open carry flyers
Correct Answer(s)
A. Voice recorder
C. Ammunition
D. Friendly witnesses
E. Open carry flyersExplanation
While it isn't legally required to have any of these items, they are all really good ideas to have. A voice recorder keeps people honest. Friendly witnesses can back up your story that you didn't do anything stupid. Ammunition should be carried in case you actually need to defend yourself, and flyers about open carry are a great way to educate the public about their second amendment rights. See http://californiaopencarry.org and http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?88-California for more information.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Can you openly carry a replica gun that looks like a real gun?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
Correct Answer
B. NoExplanation
Carrying a replica firearm is unlawful unless it is obscenely colored and is obviously fake. Blue plastic guns for defense training are a great example of what would be lawful to carry. See CA PC 12556 & 12550 for more information.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What are some of the times you can open carry loaded?
- A.
When making a bank deposit for a business
- B.
When fishing on a pier
- C.
When engaging in the herding of farm animals on public land
- D.
When at your campsite in a National Park
- E.
None of these times
Correct Answer
D. When at your campsite in a National ParkExplanation
You can carry loaded when at your residence, which includes your campsite. However, if you are in a State Park you cannot carry a firearm because firearms are prohibited in State Parks. You can also carry loaded if you are arresting somebody or if you are in immediate fear of your life. See CA PC 12031 for more information.Rate this question:
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- 12.
You live 500 feet from an elementary school in a California city. One night you wake up to the sound of a window breaking in your home. You load your handgun and stalk down your hallway toward the sound when you see a masked man in your living room. You shout that you have a gun and order him to leave. He takes off running. You follow him outside with your loaded weapon to see which way he ran. When you step onto the sidewalk, you see him turning the corner a block away. Have you broken a law here?
- A.
Yes
- B.
No
Correct Answer
A. YesExplanation
You have violated California Penal Code 626.9. The Gun Free School Zone law provides an exception for being armed if there is a restraining order against the aggressor. It does not provide an exception for fearing for your life. However, the law restricting the carrying of a loaded firearm does provide an exception for that. See CA PC 626.9 & 12031 for more information.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Feb 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Sep 15, 2010Quiz Created by
Bigtoe416
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