Can a non-felon carry an EXPOSED firearm?

Question

I'm in california, can a non-felon carry an EXPOSED firearm? If so, does he/she need an exposed gun permit if theres one.

Can you walk around outside in public with a unloaded gun in your leg holster?

example: Lets say you came back from practice shooting or whatever and you want to stop by at circle k, and you have your unloaded gun in your holster.

Answer 1

Those who have answered that there is no prohibition upon the open carrying of an unloaded firearm are correct. There is no such prohibition under State law. It is unlawful to carry concealed firearms, but a firearm in a belt holster is not concealed. (Penal Code section 12031(f).) Note that under California law, for many purposes a firearm is loaded if the firearm and ammo to be used in the firearm are both in the possession of the same person. (E.g., Penal Code section 171e.)

ADD: Just a follow-up for .45 Peacemaker. Possession of a loaded firearm (which is otherwise legal to possess) is prohibited only in an incorporated city, or where a specific prohibition has been applied in an unencorporated area. (Penal Code section 12031.) No, no hunting in San Francisco!

Answer 2

First off the only permit to carry exposed in california deals with security guards. As far as carry permits goes in California most times you are talking about concealed carry.

Yes you can carry exposed in California but state law does put some limits on this. For example you can not carry expossed in a car if the gun is loaded PC 12031 and some Fish and Game law that I do not remember the numbers of. Most cities have ordanences as well that limit this. You can carry a loaded concealed gun on your person on your own property but if you step out on the sidewalk your commiting a crime.

Think about it, if you could not carry a gun exposed then how could you ever go hunting? How could you get your gun from you house to your car?

Some people in other states have taken this a little over the top. California is not gun friendly so I would not push the limits.

Read up on gun laws Start with PC 12020 and go from there. Your eyes will be bleeding in a few hours.

Answer 3

There is a FEDERAL ban upon a person convicted of a felony possessing a firearm. California does not have any process for providing relief from a felony conviction which allows for gun possession. HOWEVER, many non-violent felonies in California can be reduced to misdemeanors, even long after the fact, so long as no prison sentence was pronounced. Reduction to a misdemeanor will avoid the firearms prohibition. You should look into that. ADD: Chet is correct as far as it goes, and my first sentence is incomplete. The federal law applies to firearms shipped in interstate commerce, but that would mean you could possess only a firearm manufactured in Texas. And five years after your release from probation or parole, you could keep a firearm (manufactured in Texas) only at your residence under Texas law. To fully restore your gun rights, I still recommend looking into reduction to a misdemeanor.

Answer 4

Gun possession is allowed for non-felons but the firearms must not be on public display when carried.

Answer 5

yes u can carry ur gun in ur holster if its unloaded when u go to cirlce k, ive done it so many times.

Answer 6

You may not carry an exposed firearm in California, felon or no.

Answer 7

i know there are gun laws that allow you to carry one if you have a permit but,states laws also very go to the police station and ask!

Answer 8

It's called hunting